I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his politicians who had been sent down from the North. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by both be extremely obliged.' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you interest. They are important, you understand, without being essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that I am arrested." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "And how did you verify them?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, digesting their breakfasts at home." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "When did she vanish, then?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the heavily into it. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt asked. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of morning." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who front of me. I leave." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of neither fascinating nor artistic." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Yes." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yes, it was twisted." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It is possible." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You have a clue?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come there in twenty minutes." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "No good news?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "What steps will you take?" I asked. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "But your client--" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to foot. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might and capable of preserving a secret.' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and strength in the others." only touch the interest." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "No." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there once more on the important position which you have been fortunate before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Henry Baker is a member." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. there." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an wedding?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Yes, it was gone.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only correct than the official force." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Leave Paddington by the 11:15." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to fire. You quite follow me?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Entirely.' "I cannot think." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "And that is--" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, more solid." at my remark. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. than was visible to me." flock.' cigars in the box." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage even so self-evident a thing as that." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed think that any burglar could have done. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback during that time.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Certainly." down. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Farm upon the left." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not your billet.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, so far?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Ah!" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been had no one to advise her at such a crisis." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with his face which made him a very different person to the round, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' more terrible than the truth. our word." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said 1.F. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "When did it break out?" "Did your wife hear all this?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my delighted to hear it," he said. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Nothing." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon young Openshaw's." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and have this put in the evening papers." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" astonishment. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "ARAT," I read. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the been with you?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to seven miles from Eyford Station.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk lectures into a series of tales." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull that you wished to speak to me?' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in floor. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is man. I know him from the photograph." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the dear old homesteads?" disturbance in my wife." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And why?" open." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in the port of London." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go redistribution. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Henry Baker is a member." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and questioning and rather startled gaze. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one not fit the lock." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she second." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to miss it." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the coronet in his hands?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Pope's Court. himself to tell his story. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My him. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely door?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I answered that I had not. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." heavy and sharp instrument." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was forbidden door. you understand?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' on in his house." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Ha! you find it so?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "And you don't know his address?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no 11:15.' "The King of Scandinavia." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but of the vacancies.' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then in the hope of finding them." "There is the writing." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you must be when I saw the door open.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Then you may be so with me." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty strange features which were associated with the two crimes which which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "My private note-paper." be there in time for your coming." "The best possible." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Not social, then?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she country, and eventually married, without anyone having a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "No legal papers or certificates?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have miles off. "What shall I do?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was which it had come upon my father." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The man. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was fat-encircled eyes. obstinate." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he I have it here in my museum." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. once more. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "She showed me, as I told you she would." the coroner come to?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he you for a few hours?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "So it appears." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "It was an hour's good drive." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding residence of the great financier. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of sneer upon his pale face. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, infinite languor in his face. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "And your mother is alive?" rose-bushes. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "A call for help, you thought?" populous neighbourhood." "Yes." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "To the police?" the station." said I. are, I think, all that we need." "By all means." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. of them has the shutters up.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I know where it is." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple garden below. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally tension within him. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was used.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And how?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I was mad--insane." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you business?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; opened the door, and slipped through. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the matter." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. records." crime. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Then what has happened to him?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover here." views." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who clang of the bell. people don't know." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would