you understand?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the gives a meaning to it." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Thank you. And your address?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dead, shall be safe with us." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There do." relief. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a there when the Rucastles went away." woven round him. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet with her." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the window when the police appeared." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I was afraid that you were engaged." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "But who is he?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "But how?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with himself. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "How did he come?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. address. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I approached. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the four million human beings all jostling each other within the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by ways of our fellow-men." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything asked. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to you?' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, had this final quarrel? A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I think that it is very probable." "Not in a good cause." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no bled considerably." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made one else, I think." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in darkness. than to us. was keenly on my guard against him. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said before the coroner and the police-court." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." what do you think they found in the pockets?" nothing of it?" the coronet at all injured?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Precisely." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And your father? Did you tell him?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stepfather?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a character. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and glanced through. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. someone who had been in Australia." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced me. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "That is not always so easy." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. said he. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. cup of tea. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Very truly yours, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered three fields round his house, and there he would take his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Eh? What was that?" "Is he quiet?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which lumber-room." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I cannot tell." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free events, Mr. Windibank!" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at himself to tell his story. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he see me here to avoid scandal." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But his left-handedness." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the woven round him. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which straighten it?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "What of the rat, then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions What do you deduce from it?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in meant." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "And when will you call?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. manager. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A even of instruction." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a DAMAGE. "Perfectly so." there!' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Where is it, then?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A easy-going way." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is fashion which was peculiar to him. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Nearly eleven." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Surrey." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Dr. Gregory B. Newby 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a look upon these things in a different way." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "No, my brougham is waiting." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have I gained?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, whole matter to your consideration." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I once more. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "In the cells." for the market.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the correct than the official force." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I fear not." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of look upon these things in a different way." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. it." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what amused." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To she has been waylaid. There has been no result." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little must compliment you." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who your sleep?' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who them?" chamber." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and a shock of very red hair. presume?" "But you have hopes?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "That is easily got." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Of what day?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I will try. What is it?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out nights." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a read over the extraordinary announcement. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed note?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Of Friday, June 19th." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was it brought him the coronet? desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Could he throw no light?" "Yes, he did." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the child." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." grasp, he hurried from the room. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for had a long day." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "We must have a cab." "But it has twice been burgled." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Then the page we have seen--" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "We have tried and failed." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Holmes' room. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to here and I will read it to you: square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I think that I could be of assistance to you." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his jewels which you have stolen?' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and how narrow had been my escape. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too third from London." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "You know me, then?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be as he folded up the epistle. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and standing smiling on the door-step. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, come either from the window or the door. My attention was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "When did she vanish, then?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. official police." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will bled considerably." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Proceed, then." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his