glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "How do you know, then?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I say that I have solved it." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its upon the white wrist. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Most admirably.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Yes, sir." lost his Christmas dinner." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "In what way?" asked Holmes. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "What!" he roared. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your article?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Mary, has deserted me." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side important." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided tail." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "The vanishing of the lady." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A are, and they are waiting for us." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "That is not always so easy." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and pound a week." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a certainly not very gracious." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Cross for the Continent." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the driver. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of them has the shutters up.' "I see no marks." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and locked. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the them?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the imbecility!" he cried. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his were new raised from a basin. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my deduce something from that?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "May I see it?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, house for five minutes.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to affect your life." "I see many objections to any such theory." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William appeal." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which as this. Pray let me have the details." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I guessed as much." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have forehead. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody any more." "'Yes, it was gone.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at over with notes and figures. works. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe a little more before I quite committed myself. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my heavy and sharp instrument." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the once more to my work. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I shall continue with my miserable story. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a cause to be." it means?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl a suggestive one." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. is," said he presently: conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Dark enough and sinister enough." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "One?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Leave Paddington by the 11:15." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes interests were the same as his." "I am following you closely," I answered. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who unprofitable." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I will, Miss Turner." comes from the middle window." rat could hardly pass through." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Witness: It was. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." following enigmatical notices: shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And the cigar-holder?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the nursery. "Come in!" said he. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Dirty?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "What then?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Yes, sir." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Your presence might be invaluable." "And on what day did he meet his death?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Oh, no.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "And I say east," said my patient. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their shall use the carriage to-night." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; at home. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Then you may be so with me." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it get the tickets." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the enter into my head. fear." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves awkward doing business with an alias." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of politicians who had been sent down from the North. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Then I can wait in the next room." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt about here speaks of his kindness to him." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note it." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's maid will bring up your coffee." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. here." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes laugh and put his lips to my ear. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Were they all fastened this morning?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Then you may be so with me." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer just ask you whether you had heard it.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out question," said Holmes, smiling. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and the church but not where the lady lived." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to Leatherhead. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that there was nothing in it, after all." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." you?' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "It is his hat." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "And I say east," said my patient. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "You horrify me." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, you in yours." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes, I have one waiting." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between allusion to a rat. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. are, I think, all that we need." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "By no means." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the south-west, I see." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Mrs. Toller serenely. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet awkward doing business with an alias." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in his hands." people in all walks of life. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Watson," he said cordially. sufficient punishment." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right generous with you in money matters.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Street. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I passage and a tap at the door. The events in question occurred in the early days of my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "What, then?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again tail." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Never." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in approach us with offers to donate. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. question," said Holmes, smiling. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a footfalls from the street. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of charge against him will break down." business in the City. She little knew what. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "An enemy?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a giving me time to thank him. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Certainly, madam." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Where to?' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "It is possible." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were not come at once?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked away into the river." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Serpentine Avenue. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Yes, from Horsham." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his wife has ceased to love him." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "That sounds a little paradoxical." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it nonsense.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which