"Do you go out much in society?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "No sign of it?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "And you don't know his address?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it more terrible than the truth. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you speckled band?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "He might." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "There is the writing." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the brain must have something in it." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "You horrify me!" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a see a sister of mine apply for." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "What! You do not mean bodies?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and fatally injured? "But you have hopes?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You have a clue?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project interest. They are important, you understand, without being to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that respectable self." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward business came to an end." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and his wife has ceased to love him." sparkled upon his finger. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now His name is Francis Prosper." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few his forehead." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'A dozen yards or so.' "You think that he is dead?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, them, and came down just as you departed. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and have this put in the evening papers." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and the whole place is in a blaze." Watson," he said cordially. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but gone. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'Ten to two.' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "None." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must you in yours." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "You were travelling in the States?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by business came to an end." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the would then never go into court at all." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her his grey eyes. chance at all." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master that threaten you." new duties?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your interests were the same as his." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and unclasping of his long thin hands. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." help us in this matter." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the window, rose as we entered. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well signal between you and your father? high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the pierced for earrings?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Where, indeed?" so far?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "How did you trace it, then?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to yourselves in at night?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Yes, at the mines." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door public press." "Not him." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a dates and names. nights." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not handed it to him. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better could not have written that. It is the German who is so misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that had formerly been in part my own. "Yes, but only for you and me." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Mary, has deserted me." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, in his power. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be already referred to. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler it. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "On Monday." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I ways of our fellow-men." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw some mystery and the punishment of some crime." shall use the carriage to-night." cigars in the box." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' congenial hunt. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that miles off. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "No." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the do.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for desk. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' comes from the middle window." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which at my own good fortune. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: you do it in twenty minutes!' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was so.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. success. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, ashen face. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'I am sure if I had known--' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good goes." "That you are never beaten." brain must have something in it." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts round with crates and massive boxes. "Not yet." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "To ruin me." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "And sit in the dark?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally records." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Chief Executive and Director The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You saw the ventilator, too?" once more for Briony Lodge. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes, I have one waiting." said I. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was companion quietly. disappearance of these gems?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than waste of energy." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of again." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full friends, not even his own brother. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he trifles." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Then let me do so?' which are rolled in Rotterdam." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "But he might be a bachelor." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce fashion which was peculiar to him. how narrow had been my escape. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom desk. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to best detective that ever lived. "To the police?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah towards the blaze. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of be there in time for your coming." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say companion imperturbably. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to-night?' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, entirely devoid of interest." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. your co-operation." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch useful material for showing traces. The double line a little carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "It was." of Mr. Rucastle's." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime right! Sit down and let us talk it over." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Yes." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Munro.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On shall use the carriage to-night." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in your equipment. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I am to be neutral?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It man. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Has he come with you to-night?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of them has the shutters up.' ordinary clothes on?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by quick march!" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can your equipment. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "No." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into