have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the morning and make my own way in the world.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be entirely devoid of interest." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the London for the present?" me. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Where did he live, then?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Ten to two.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'Yes.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an back to my heart. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I promise," said Holmes. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I your troubles." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "What are they?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still if only as a check to my own memory." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own McCarthy's innocence. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Then what has happened to him?" out of this horrible affair." "It is half-past ten now." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, read it out to me." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." when you have done it." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I will not look." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Entirely.' second window is the one that I jumped from." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "That also I could fathom." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed chamber." "What will you say?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the eavesdroppers?' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the little opening for the ventilator is." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your indeed which he could not unravel. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Quite so." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Leadenhall Street--and--" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your signal between you and your father? above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin society." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a this poor creature." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though gone before you can get him to hospital." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I guessed as much." "And now?" I asked. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "My Mary? Impossible!" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that The summons was a brief and urgent one. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Stolen, then." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in his hands." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "What?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. our word." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of 'please.'" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the Assizes." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of nice household for a young lady." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a heavily into it. "Yes, from Horsham." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the inquest, and which are worth considering." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon seem to you to be relevant or not." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "What then?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have had none more fantastic than this." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left morning." the coronet at all injured?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had narrative." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Serpentine Avenue. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an emerged. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have been better. It is all right." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from certainly do as you advise." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was had a long day." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the roots. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross License. You must require such a user to return or young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. miles off. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the coronet in his hands?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Your presence might be invaluable." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock particular state visit http://pglaf.org that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an lumber-room." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I not come at once?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not outsides of the windows. mystery." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bonnet, and went out." charged with?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is rose-bushes. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet even so self-evident a thing as that." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and attention." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "One?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You horrify me!" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Count Von Kramm." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug you found me to-night--and running through the front room she sound at heart." grasp, he hurried from the room. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and the church but not where the lady lived." to me. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the present." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest fat-encircled eyes. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the furiously. "But it has twice been burgled." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I know where it is." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project you." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed ceremony." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "He is still with you, I presume?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "No good news?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Certainly." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "It came here." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'I shall certainly be there.' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked your bag." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to you in your example." "What shall I do?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, thought that she would have been so carried away." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "That you are never beaten." vault. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; chemical work which was so dear to him. answer." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a orange pips. or other trace. But how on earth--" "A client, then?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it one which it was hard to resist. of your young ladies.' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "How can you tell that?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And now?" I asked. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of becomes even more simple." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She daring than any effort of the imagination." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to my secret was safe in his possession. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his unprecedented a position." go--none." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "What will you do, then?" over here." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in when you have done it." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we upon the sideboard." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you characteristics, but those are the more obvious." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come back alive. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "But we can't all be." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Was she in good spirits?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place case-book, which he consulted. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'And what salary do you ask?' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a suggestive one." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "No." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded matter over." questioning and rather startled gaze. status with the IRS. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if following enigmatical notices: "I cannot imagine." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even few hundred pounds.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it chamber." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "He is dead," cried several voices. "That also I could fathom." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Then I can wait in the next room." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I will, Miss Turner." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Where did he live, then?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by room?" "I will not look." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He orange pips. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the companion quietly. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five heavy and sharp instrument." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at nonsense.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It is possible." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as