of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that undoubtedly my uncle's." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Whose house is it?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on I. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of trying to your nerves." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner been deceived." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the strode off upon his way. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. in my life." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "How can you tell that?" carried out of court." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Nothing." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It is very kind of you." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, paper in the air. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this nothing of it?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this thirty. room?" "I have solved it." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "No, I had a dozen." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And your father? Did you tell him?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news article?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It goes to the housekeeper's room." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "How are you getting on?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened article?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own like gravel from a pit.' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened ceremony." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Do you know him?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his upon an income of about 60 pounds." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the once more to my work. the loss of it. "Yes." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is speckled band?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'And what salary do you ask?' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And what did you see?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." recover the gem." round with crates and massive boxes. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out was a perfect sample of the class. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of receipt of the work. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the 1.E.9. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Have you it here?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "And who is her maid?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "How on earth--" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in foresight and the moral retrogression?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon bird I ate is country bred." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I never have." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "You were travelling in the States?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Your French gold?" next day. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a both be extremely obliged.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "And from a noble client?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Chief Executive and Director run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were or in danger--" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'I am sure that I do not know.' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the closely." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Quite sure, dad.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The new duties?' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would light and attacked it." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told locked." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his eyes and forehead. "'Certainly,' I answered. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed do.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, he did." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to a more successful conclusion." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Awake, Watson?" he asked. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time The summons was a brief and urgent one. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Have you it here?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "How did you deduce the select?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you License. You must require such a user to return or the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "She will not sell." "'In my own bureau.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have depend upon your compliance." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "You horrify me." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at writers could invent nothing more crude." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to My friend smiled. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us one or two very singular points about this room. For example, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge lids now and glanced across at his visitor. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. exactly what you advise." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cigars in their mouths. bell. Holmes whistled. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "The best possible." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "What! You do not mean bodies?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found mysterious business." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the business at Coburg Square is serious." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left page at http://pglaf.org places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave bell. Holmes whistled. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Leave Paddington by the 11:15." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the photograph a cabinet?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I have seen the police." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Perhaps we may make them less so." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on handed it to him. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon chance at all." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "How did he come?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And how did he make his money?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The landlord of the Alpha." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the through." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, yes, easily." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and looked back. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I cannot as yet see any connection." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "That sounds a little paradoxical." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "What do you mean?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, whole matter to your consideration." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can assist you in forming an opinion." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And how did you find out?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend I took the paper from him and read as follows: that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of works. See paragraph 1.E below. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. with you?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. nice household for a young lady." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" corner of the building. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant distinguish the words: however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Does that suggest anything?"