without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the devil!" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It is very clear." hands. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the bottom.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his himself to hunt down. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of campaign. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I have it here in my museum." death." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the than to us. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable charge against him will break down." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I am not easy in my mind about them." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers you?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I direction." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair foresight and the moral retrogression?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far copied or distributed: squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" disappearance of the bride.'" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "And I to find an enemy." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Yes." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, over with notes and figures. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found six. Come in!" "By no means." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the morning and make my own way in the world.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my questionable one." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk not, dad?" she asked. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very business?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And how?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the time." "Yes." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you constraint." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I was afraid that you were engaged." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The again, where I was soon asleep. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his overpowering excitement and concern. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Oh, no.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And now?" I asked. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A this unhappy family?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I don't believe it." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute ordinary clothes on?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, his grey eyes. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I will, Miss Turner." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a passage and a tap at the door. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in the dead of the night?' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. address. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The in the hope of finding them." and your relations to her." McCarthy's innocence. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Well." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven charged with?" people don't know." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Yes, but only for you and me." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I am sure." "Not social, then?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. strength." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious way in." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is obstinate." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project foot. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the inquest, and which are worth considering." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre compunction about shooting them down." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "That is it on the dressing-table." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone she slowly sank and died without having recovered her dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual future lives." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found ourselves in the office." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of delirious. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And help." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders second." in a friendly supper." "Oh, fresh and glossy." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. an introduction to him?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." 11:15.' how narrow had been my escape. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was were unconscious?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "My stepfather's business papers." "And how in the world did you find them?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "There are none." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the 1.E.9. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her furiously. "A client, then?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The detained." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Your sister is dead, then?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Where, then?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 experiences." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "My stepfather's business papers." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is once more for Briony Lodge. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'I have already given you my word.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Just look it up, then." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room conduct the inquiry." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "No." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number said I. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a throat." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove persecution?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the done what I asked you, Jones?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" directors, with the result that you have seen." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and effective." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should your co-operation." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and carried out of court." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the companion imperturbably. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "By no means." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read ways of our fellow-men." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hand, madam?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." said I. be.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." brandy and water within his reach. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the instincts rose up against that laugh. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, pressing in one house as in another. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous get her out of the way." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their had this final quarrel? and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the coronet in his hands?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And how in the world did you find them?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "In answer to an advertisement." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most help us in this matter." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than train.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address remarked. "I have a cab outside." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for chemical work which was so dear to him. wedding?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this mystery." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, on re-entering her father's house?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "It is very clear." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished strength of mind to control. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, politicians who had been sent down from the North. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'How far from the body?' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me breakfast." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several three fields round his house, and there he would take his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." directors, with the result that you have seen." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." just called myself is not exactly my own." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in