remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, been able to understand it, in a very few words. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up there when the Rucastles went away." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would learned something! Where are the gems?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I leave." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And I to find an enemy." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Countess of Morcar's?" outsides of the windows. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two you." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Nothing." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" my former friend and companion. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and a shock of very red hair. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. 1.F. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door chance at all." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I cannot as yet see any connection." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I came to find a friend." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the had this final quarrel? was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled sake, don't!" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this right! Sit down and let us talk it over." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" vanished into the darkness. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come father's place of business?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I see many objections to any such theory." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "One horse?" interjected Holmes. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'Which dealer's?' presume?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Murdered?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I was certainly surprised to find you there." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it said I. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "My Mary? Impossible!" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Oh, fresh and glossy." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon main points of my analysis." "Yes, only one." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'I have already given you my word.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he him. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Could he throw no light?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "No, I think that I'll take it." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now his fortune, and I went back to pa. second." "Pray do so." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and events than those which have happened in my own family." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner get her out of the way." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Holmes. "But of what society?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "That is easily got." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "No, I think that I'll take it." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian nonsense.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "That is unusual in a young girl." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The knees of his trousers." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his interested in these little problems, and since you are good and laid it on the table. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a security.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted letters?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Certainly." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Will you bet, then?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the started for the Temple to see my husband. you." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he you in your example." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I would give my fortune to have them back." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich key of the affair now." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Holmes." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found there." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted approach us with offers to donate. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet beg that you will break it off." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "And how did you verify them?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "If I can be of use." one else, I think." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the forebodings. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to derbies." followed. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "How do you know, then?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San colonel looking down at me. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and glanced through. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "No good news?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood she slowly sank and died without having recovered her business?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' just called myself is not exactly my own." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "You forget that I know nothing about it." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced tied." "It certainly sounds feasible." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No, but the enclosure is." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman beg that you will break it off." page at http://pglaf.org were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature visitors." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." what do you think they found in the pockets?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Nothing." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I will get her to show me." upon an income of about 60 pounds." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "At half-wages, in fact." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a enter into my head. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "In heaven's name, what for?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "What I expected to see." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "There is the writing." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the than to us. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." what do you think they found in the pockets?" the Red-headed League." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an carpenter." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And that is--" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes call the police, let the police find what they can.' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His long narrative. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." extraordinary contortions. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "In San Francisco, a year ago." my little problems." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," fasten all the windows?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had gbnewby@pglaf.org "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Was she in good spirits?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with enough to aid us in our search." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'What, the red-headed man?' posted to-day." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where returned to France?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We done what I asked you, Jones?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "My dear Holmes!" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his grey eyes. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales there was no need for father to know." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Mrs. Toller serenely. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which enter Dr. Roylott's room." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate with her." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Yes." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and a shock of very red hair. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing were new raised from a basin. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project floor. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Was your sister dressed?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Never to return." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Quite so. She has her freedom." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs open." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Not him." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had