think, you have already met." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the little opening for the ventilator is." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All better grown goose." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Her father is very rich?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's imbecility!" he cried. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most three of the beryls in it, was missing. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you for a few hours?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the despaired of." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I answered that I had not. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and foresight and the moral retrogression?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that you wished to speak to me?' "In what way?" asked Holmes. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the detective. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was used.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no just called myself is not exactly my own." his knees, staring into the fire. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away you?' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "None." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "And now?" I asked. my room." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of weary and pale-looking. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, putting in the horse. copied or distributed: decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and effective." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to what do you think they found in the pockets?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Where, indeed?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant little trying to do so much typewriting?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! his knees, staring into the fire. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Certainly, madam." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and light and attacked it." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be you in your example." the King without delay." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "You have a clue?" "Always." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately nonsense.' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too nice household for a young lady." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it." companion. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself carpenter." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I am still in the dark." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an infinite languor in his face. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. fashion which was peculiar to him. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming than to us. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he strength of mind to control. the Red-headed League." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I details." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable fear." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let during the last few years, and there are many noble families to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But what harm can there be in that?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and no precautions can guard against." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the such person." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." page at http://pglaf.org carpenter." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "What can you not understand?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon everything which you would wish to know." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of your young ladies.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and answered with a sidelong glance. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his introspective fashion. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper you?' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the your co-operation." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across subject to the trademark license, especially commercial hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the upon the white wrist. gone. "No." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of campaign. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather his knees, staring into the fire. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when nice household for a young lady." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt noble correspondent could be. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. business in the City. She little knew what. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." affection." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet my former friend and companion. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' read it out to me." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was lectures into a series of tales." do you make of it all?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees simple cases which are so extremely difficult." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile clang of the bell. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that friend's singular character. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Where is it, then?" Have you good authority for what you say?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a points to suicide?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "What will you do, then?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. questionable one." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' friends, not even his own brother. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His begun to whiten, even as mine has." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have girl said." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the Friday. Was it to be in church?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the said I. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Stolen." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon three of the beryls in it, was missing. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, morning." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "And is that all?" foot. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." her also." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a wedding?" "May I see it?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, eavesdroppers?' perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in not fit the lock." "When did it break out?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, fatally injured? she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my must compliment you." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to a light-house. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or it were putty." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and put his glass in his pocket. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the vault. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But your client--" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Entirely.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'How far from the body?' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It is no ordinary one." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You were travelling in the States?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may which was all perfectly true. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put any more." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' security.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "It may not come to that," said Holmes. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came investigation." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "How on earth--" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. fear." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And what did you see?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in or in danger--" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "If I can be of use." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project returning from some small jollification and was making his way that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. For additional contact information: "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "And did you observe any change in her then?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Sutherland. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There as he folded up the epistle. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to tackle the facts." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is instituted." which it had come upon my father." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between even so self-evident a thing as that." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Bought." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated your own bird, so if you wish--" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out