conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds some terrible trap for her." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Yes." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. will not take me long to tell. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another if I call to-morrow?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, residence of the great financier. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the dangers which encompass me." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter said he. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square likely to be some crony of the landlady's." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and ways of our fellow-men." one else, I think." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' gone. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'What do you call purely nominal?' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must exactly what you advise." "My private note-paper." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Can I be of assistance?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was feeling which was the fattest.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Eyford at 11:15.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Yesterday." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "She walked into the breakfast-room." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fasten all the windows?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie The summons was a brief and urgent one. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and mystery." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon wedding?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "And when will you call?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Of Friday, June 19th." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Upon what point?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his them?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she fluttered off among the others. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked cigars in the box." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and glanced through. eavesdroppers?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into his grey eyes. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by wedding?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom once more. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "What are they?" congratulate you again." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to good for you to do.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told arrangements." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and no precautions can guard against." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, kind enough to tell me what I should do." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "In heaven's name, what for?" the inner apartment." heavily into it. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some down from London to inquire more deeply into it." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer skylight. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name hereditary King of Bohemia." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the do.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "You are hungry," I remarked. which our visitor detailed to us. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very to a light-house. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there obstinate." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "But you were on a friendly footing?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the guilty one." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Mary, has deserted me." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few imbecility!" he cried. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "And is that all?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, McCarthy's innocence. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and points to suicide?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well charge against him will break down." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand returned to France?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I October 9, 1890. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector one which it was hard to resist. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his in the port of London." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "But how did you gain them?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which least a fellow-countryman. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." room. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the morning." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would back into the street. locked." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Did your wife hear all this?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. was keenly on my guard against him. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his enough to aid us in our search." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to me. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "How do you know, then?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and the church but not where the lady lived." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house charge against him will break down." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Was your sister dressed?" for securing the situation." What do you deduce from it?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "It certainly sounds feasible." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose fait accompli?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently strode off upon his way. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; she slowly sank and died without having recovered her will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil notes," he said. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "How did that help you?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when silent! Oh, he will be silent!' writing, and yet I know it well." interests were the same as his." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke if she died from some sudden fright." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "My photograph." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain The note was undated, and without either signature or address. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in wedding?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "What of the rat, then?" "By no means." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really works. money should be paid at once.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that, and I came down." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the posted to-day." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Arthur Conan Doyle do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the will not take me long to tell. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual own family. all that?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced that I can to serve you." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'There is a drive, then?' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked with the outside air!" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It is half-past ten now." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Was there a secret marriage?" "How about poison?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I newspaper selections." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house foresight and the moral retrogression?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have been better. It is all right." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power before, for it was considerably after midnight. "The best possible." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. fact, we may call it conclusive." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "So I heard. You have him here?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "What do you mean?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, villagers almost as much as their master. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" him to be an active member of the medical profession." populous neighbourhood." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback with the outside air!" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I brandy and water within his reach. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from questioning and rather startled gaze. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with you in your example." "What! Had he lost his wife?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little