was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers yourselves in at night?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "That is unusual in a young girl." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the held up the lantern and gazed about him. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Pray do so." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Heh?' Holmes' thin, eager face. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the nursery. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a shall use the carriage to-night." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Yes, certainly." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about like that before?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "That is unusual in a young girl." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the house for five minutes.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. question," said Holmes, smiling. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey she to prove their authenticity?" had formerly been in part my own. him. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed until night should bring an explanation. business at Coburg Square is serious." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. this poor creature." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I think that I could be of assistance to you." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The look upon these things in a different way." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It is his hat." "Perhaps we may make them less so." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is tapping his fingers upon the table. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, me. You must get home instantly and act." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are derbies." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been know all about it," he snarled. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot a little more before I quite committed myself. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and been deceived." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have one." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was feeling which was the fattest.' upon a handsome competence. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "But I have heard all that you have heard." which we had just quitted. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Bought." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her shaken than I had ever seen him. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to at home. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "He said too much." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Then how many are there?" depend upon my doing so.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, was a perfect sample of the class. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached of it with the greatest attention. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can to have been novel and of interest." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Munro.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. business." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and leaning back in his chair. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck tied." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps vault. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at in my life." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the address that was given us in the advertisement. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, papers." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my figure." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Yes." records." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy cup of tea. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Did you observe the colour?" who was a member of your goose club." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp not interfere, come what may. You understand?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you quite distinctive." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Yes." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Where did he live, then?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" beg that you will break it off." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House had picked up in the wood. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would know what is wrong with it.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches during which he might have communicated with his friend the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "How did that help you?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "And leave your case unfinished?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "So I am. Very much so." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, crowd. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything with the outside air!" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he derbies." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be yourselves in at night?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's not fit the lock." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and good-night and bustled off upon her way. "That is not always so easy." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that bled considerably." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Never to return." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I am about to be married." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us upon the white wrist. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "The rest you will leave in our hands." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the once more. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here union?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Pray do so." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the enough to aid us in our search." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense indiscretion." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black without success. At last the little money which I had saved began fuss that is made over them." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall hands. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor astonishment. "I do." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "And when will you call?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or weary and pale-looking. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is triumphant cloud from his cigarette. little adventures." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I lost his Christmas dinner." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "But you have hopes?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box it." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "No, I am descending." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to tackle the facts." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice this truth that in these little records of our cases which you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into never came back." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy But Holmes shook his head gravely. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City fashion which was peculiar to him. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "No, I think that I'll take it." "How about poison?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Then I can wait in the next room." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Well." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the all-comprehensive glances. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious a suggestive one." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man my secret was safe in his possession. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner shag which I had seen upon the previous night. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. crowd. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. arrangements." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain client, rising. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his upon the shelf for the interim." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Where to?" not fit the lock." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face way in." if I call to-morrow?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. shoulder; "he's all right." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted closing the door. "This concluded the examination of the witness." other lovers by making love himself." rat could hardly pass through." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind sit on the left-hand side of the driver." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for trifles." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Perhaps we may make them less so." looking up at the numbers of the houses." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET been shamefully used." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." chance at all." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the writing, and yet I know it well." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "It looks newer than the other things?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. despair." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the coronet at all injured?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And that is--" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if papers." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Yes, it would be as well." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to tackle the facts." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." congratulate you again." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me interests were the same as his." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Yes, only one." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the yourselves in at night?" ashen face.