"A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." side. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in woman." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And which it had come upon my father." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I have my revolver," said I. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then taking in every detail of the apartment. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which maid will bring up your coffee." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. will not take me long to tell. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I shall continue with my miserable story. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through important." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being any little problem which you may submit to me." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I way in." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a returning from some small jollification and was making his way sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "We were both in the photograph." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It looks newer than the other things?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'What then?' I asked. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming ourselves in the office." "He is still with you, I presume?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a were unconscious?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had you understand?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the date of his supposed suicide." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; father's young wife. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It is possible." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the criminal. We have already had experience of such." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could fled together." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and was lame." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an strength in the others." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and this man was intellectual?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me bears upon the case?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with know that the truth is known." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the held up the lantern and gazed about him. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. you do it in twenty minutes!' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see questioning and rather startled gaze. "What are they?" "Come in!" said he. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent towards the blaze. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman south, for the country is more deserted there." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to directors, with the result that you have seen." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers him to be an active member of the medical profession." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card when you have done it." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform from you?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He works. See paragraph 1.E below. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes, sir." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a breakfast?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case The King stared at him in amazement. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which is worth.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It is possible." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a answered with a sidelong glance. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of might help us?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it strong reason behind." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in lost his Christmas dinner." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the salesman. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed legal crime." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. companion. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in page at http://pglaf.org association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "None." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and wait." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And help." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, at my own good fortune. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I have hopes." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in possible that we could bring him back to her? ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I do." helping a boy to put up the shutters. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for fire. You quite follow me?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge during which he might have communicated with his friend the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which our visitor detailed to us. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I think it very unlikely." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single a monotonous occupation." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that remarked. voice, changing her seat as requested. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord at home. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But it has twice been burgled." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "What is it, then--a fire?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Witness: I must still refuse. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "What of the rat, then?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of obstinate." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his public press." your equipment. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Well?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and all of them with the keenest interest. strength." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who help us in this matter." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A pictures, libraries, or plate. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I fear not." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's I approached. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a entirely devoid of interest." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and files of the old papers, following the future career of every impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "But how?" "Not in a good cause." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. becomes even more simple." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "A client, then?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "That is easily got." matter over." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "No, I had a dozen." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are outbreak?" to have been novel and of interest." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I province." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Come in!" said Holmes. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps with her." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' himself to hunt down. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was or in danger--" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to His smile broadened. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from matters immensely." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man will he say when he returns?" you for a few hours?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Certainly." strong and stiff." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the you in your example." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come a room. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have morning." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "How do you know, then?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "What then?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to some other building. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after colonel looking down at me. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to