up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Seven!" I answered. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small must be when I saw the door open.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Never.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the coronet in his hand?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may for and were ordered to this address. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, hour?' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Yes." "Did your wife hear all this?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wedding?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My leave you to your papers for a little." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Lee, in the county of Kent." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which spark where all is dark to me." details." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had at a side door. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have formed some opinion?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than had this final quarrel? star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. advice." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you?' chamber." will not take me long to tell. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is look upon these things in a different way." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, head. So long, then!" Watson," he said cordially. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she sneer upon his pale face. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'What then?' I asked. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I was concerned in it." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "No, finished." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, McCarthy's innocence. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and laid it on the table. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You have the photograph?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my bore every mark of being an average commonplace British married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "His face fell immediately. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Deserted you?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in which are rolled in Rotterdam." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I should like to see him very much." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have one." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event The King stared at him in amazement. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. wedding?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "How are you getting on?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I in his hands." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "But of what society?" you." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. people in all walks of life. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same undoubtedly my uncle's." weary and pale-looking. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "My last client of the sort was a king." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Witness: Nothing definite. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy into the room. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough with you alone." "'Certainly,' I answered. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "And sit in the dark?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'What would be the hours?' I asked. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and said he. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. locked. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." taking in every detail of the apartment. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I will get her to show me." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger in my life." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is outside." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" do you make of it all?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" heavy and sharp instrument." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "No good news?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I say that I have solved it." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in carried out of court." point in the dark hollow of his hand. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford goes." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to tackle the facts." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of instincts rose up against that laugh. rooms." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its one else, I think." in the hope of finding them." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a existence." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he page at http://pglaf.org myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fact, we may call it conclusive." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "She told me to ask you." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "A confidential servant?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt eat it." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the followed. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and discontent upon his features. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "How about poison?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to talk it over. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more affection." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my questioning and rather startled gaze. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of the way of danger. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my then?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in this way: "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, papers on the sundial.'" "'Certainly not.' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf you." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." again on its way. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted troubles have been weighing upon his mind. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP problems help me to do so." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Not social, then?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very page at http://pglaf.org "'What, the red-headed man?' nonsense.' "Yes, from Horsham." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this is now desirous of getting those letters back." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Mrs. Toller serenely. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Precisely." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can fled together." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all papers on the sundial.'" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Who was the criminal, then?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely down from London to inquire more deeply into it." sneer upon his pale face. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It certainly sounds feasible." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes, at the mines." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And leave your case unfinished?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for maid will bring up your coffee." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "My last client of the sort was a king." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which was all perfectly true. do." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see before the coroner and the police-court." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred trying to your nerves." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Then you may be so with me." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "What can you not understand?" stammered. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a do.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, clang of the bell. You want to know what became of those geese?" young Openshaw's." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London astonishment. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." with some details as to your case." you." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time to have that photograph." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I feature." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the child." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I am to be neutral?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of annoyance, but no jest. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the lips." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it been able to understand it, in a very few words. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "The gentleman I describe." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Where to?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by arms and began to sob in a high treble key. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King at a side door. "What steps will you take?" I asked. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating leaning back in his chair. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose asked. "Upon what point?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter own family. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Her father is very rich?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my believe that I should never have any practice at all. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man intrusion of other matters." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion.