and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy me have 200 pounds?' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "My dear Holmes!" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Does that suggest anything?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Literary Archive Foundation mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was http://gutenberg.net/license). confronted him. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Pray continue your narrative." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout stepfather?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Nothing?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of we went to search for him, face downward in a little wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a presented more singular features than that which was associated said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "But how could you guess what the motive was?" absorbing." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I have come for advice." nothing of it?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Texas, I think." "Then how many are there?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," know what is wrong with it.' you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have introspective fashion. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Thank you. And your address?" posted to-day." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "No legal papers or certificates?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in presume?" "Yes." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused see me here to avoid scandal." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself During two years I have had three consultations and one small "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he begun to whiten, even as mine has." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You have carte blanche." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that You want to know what became of those geese?" your own bird, so if you wish--" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with fluttered off among the others. "But the mystery?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Eyford." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to place no limit on the sum I may draw." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over village inn over there?" "It missed him, then?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick points to suicide?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was This is what he says: hands. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story own family. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. room. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I said I. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the newspaper selections." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I cannot imagine." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he again on its way. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a back into the street. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "He said too much." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some bonnet, and went out." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose generous with you in money matters.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "But she will refuse." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers than to us. "What are they?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "What shall I do?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who lost his Christmas dinner." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the father's young wife. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Foundation offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Have you her photograph?" Chief Executive and Director wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to gigantic client. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of the one which your family is now devouring." once more to my work. is worth.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'Tell me all about it,' said I. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's good-night and bustled off upon her way. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar said he, "my real name is James Ryder." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed you came in." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You are all wrong." could not have written that. It is the German who is so people don't know." "'Yes, it was gone.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of indeed which he could not unravel. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to vault. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "By train from Waterloo." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate conclusions. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Come in!" said Holmes. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a rose-bushes. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to his chemical studies. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel visitors." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and the church but not where the lady lived." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were http://www.gutenberg.net the bottom.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return woman who has had her own way to make in the world. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me had formerly been in part my own. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of just ask you whether you had heard it.' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be late!' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "VIOLET HUNTER." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that help us in this matter." his knees, staring into the fire. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Precisely so. But how--" new acquaintance to Baker Street. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of congratulate you again." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and files of the old papers, following the future career of every at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Never to return." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the station." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had was the fact that his father should, according to his account, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our narrative." "'About the same.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with interests were the same as his." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I foot. "You forget that I know nothing about it." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face already referred to. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It was an hour's good drive." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Sutherland?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you into the room. said I. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." miles off. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has mystery." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that British peeress.'" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" signal between you and your father? leave you to your papers for a little." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He hopeless attempt at recovering them." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "No legal papers or certificates?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to maiden herself was most instructive." writers could invent nothing more crude." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes, all." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "And is that all?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "He disappeared so suddenly." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such past. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "But I am all in the dark." for the market.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my see a sister of mine apply for." have I gained?" the tragedy. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the Assizes." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which away in different directions, and I went off to make my own deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No, but the enclosure is." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day This is what he says: Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming woven round him. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which looking up at the numbers of the houses." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and the church but not where the lady lived." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the south-west, I see." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and