started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Stolen." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that companion. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "He is dead," cried several voices. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making room had already been engaged for us. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "That was it, sir." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had his forehead." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Yes, but only for you and me." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Miss Holder?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature British peeress.'" "Yes, sir." it right.' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And how have you succeeded?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to not come at once?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, national property. I was determined that the law should have its heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and glanced through. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "On your arm?" "In heaven's name, what for?" to surprise her." "She will not sell." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil generous with you in money matters.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Witness: Nothing definite. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'And what salary do you ask?' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the important." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "What office?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening developed." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "But he might be a bachelor." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "None." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my room had already been engaged for us. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I cannot tell." "I have seen the police." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Yes." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "We must sit without light. He would see it through the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's perplexity from it to my illustrious client. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the address that was given us in the advertisement. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I attention." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father face and glided from the room. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and pound a week." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "That also I could fathom." disturbance in my wife." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but cost them two and thirty pounds." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of my secret was safe in his possession. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the loss of it. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Thank you. And your address?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I am to be neutral?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I will, Miss Turner." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon had a long day." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out look dissatisfied." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And crime." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and McCarthy." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'What would be the hours?' I asked. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "In which, sir?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It missed him, then?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was enter Dr. Roylott's room." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily said I. "Did your wife hear all this?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so The police have openly confessed that they can at present make him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Whose house is it?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." awkward doing business with an alias." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Eyford." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I know where it is." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." furiously. maiden herself was most instructive." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the outsides of the windows. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. room. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we enter Dr. Roylott's room." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the roots. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And the cigar-holder?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Look there!" said he. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have business." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "So I heard. You have him here?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and father's place of business?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand you for a few hours?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It guilty parties." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes' face clouded over. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, galvanised. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one on in his house." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was in this way: creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There a room. he bowed and left the room without another word. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, made him keep the appointment." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the seen the man in the road." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' colonel looking down at me. recover the gem." "I cannot imagine." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know horse could go." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the coronet in his hand?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney him!" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to-night's adventure." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of system of imprisonment?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It missed him, then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "At the wedding breakfast." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "What steps will you take?" I asked. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 brandy and water within his reach. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "The Coroner: What do you mean? "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Was your sister dressed?" "Certainly, madam." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "If I can be of use." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own window when the police appeared." "Absolutely none." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken learned something! Where are the gems?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose skylight. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Where is it, then?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. thought that she would have been so carried away." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "By train from Waterloo." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "But she could not love him." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "What?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "You know me, then?" "You horrify me!" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a back alive. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do conversation I have gathered that they have been married about society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and a shock of very red hair. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this outsides of the windows. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' returned to France?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "It is possible." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "What steps will you take?" I asked. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson tassel actually lying upon the pillow. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'What, the red-headed man?' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make look dissatisfied." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural heavily into it. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he