"What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the room while you explain this matter?" "Why did you pick him?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which politicians who had been sent down from the North. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Murdered?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend horse could go." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the were new raised from a basin. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is bachelor.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under answered with a sidelong glance. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Never." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss bachelor.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Eyford at 11:15.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a nothing of it?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It is possible." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, morning." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, go--none." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "One of the highest in England." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "A client, then?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of this poor creature." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. his fortune, and I went back to pa. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for felt?" Does that suggest anything?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It certainly sounds feasible." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Yes, the wine-cellar." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute to-night." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then I shall certainly come." "I came to find a friend." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, papers diligently of late, have you not?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I answered that I had not. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of a light. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside it." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "But how will you look?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Then I can wait in the next room." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "On Monday." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Eyford." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And is that all?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a shall not find me ungrateful." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship note?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" undoubtedly my uncle's." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we particular state visit http://pglaf.org the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah gives a meaning to it." of a light. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no him, that man would not have given me such complete information extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical an introduction to him?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "It looks newer than the other things?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Miss Holder?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small you want, then?' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I say it is." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" before, for it was considerably after midnight. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes, there are nearly always some there." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the detained." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must late!' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The knees of his trousers." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said together. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Did you become engaged then?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that I may have something better before very many minutes are help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this orange pips. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Then you may entirely rely on me." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul case-book, which he consulted. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. excitement. "And now?" I asked. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be some terrible trap for her." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very prepare for the new role I have to play." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought quite distinctive." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots when you have done it." tied." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "My private note-paper." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. brandy and water within his reach. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you never will be, entirely cleared up. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" meanly of me." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like there were one or two details which were new to me. But the over with notes and figures. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Thank you. And your address?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "But you were on a friendly footing?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the me. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And was a loud and authoritative tap. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "But what harm can there be in that?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see nice household for a young lady." "Pray do so." way: "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The King stared at him in amazement. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You don't mind breaking the law?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our morning." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the knowledge of the world." thought that she would have been so carried away." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "My Mary? Impossible!" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her confronted him. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Perhaps we may make them less so." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought upon the shelf for the interim." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'Very good.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Dark enough and sinister enough." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Count Von Kramm." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong impression behind it as though a window had gently closed on in his house." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "If I can be of use." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It surprised me." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Of Friday, June 19th." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "No. What a strange idea!" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for soul! here is her carriage at the door." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, careless servant girl?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, then?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Precisely so. But how--" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." hardly wander." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her lectures into a series of tales." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and your relations to her." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Upon what point?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met such person." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But what is it you wish?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Has he come with you to-night?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as to affect your life." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "The best possible." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads whereabouts. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in this way: Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What is it, then--a fire?" "It is his hat." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a key of the affair now." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance fait accompli?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right noise which awoke you from your sleep?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a