unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Not social, then?" a monotonous occupation." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'You cannot say what it was?' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle corner of the building. electronic works States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "What of the rat, then?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the father's place of business?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Thank you. Pray proceed." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Yes." quickly through a disagreeable task. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Was there a secret marriage?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a she might be summoned. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, business?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to if only as a check to my own memory." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "What have you to say now?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And your mother is alive?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of his knees, staring into the fire. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a stalked out of the room. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out shag which I had seen upon the previous night. good-night and bustled off upon her way. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "My photograph." nonsense.' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his indeed which he could not unravel. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I cannot imagine." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. upon a handsome competence. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client weapon." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these not come at once?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls suggested at once that there must be a communication between the DAMAGE. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ friends, not even his own brother. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "He said too much." as noiselessly as she had come. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage window when the police appeared." "But his lameness?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "And Miss Sutherland?" "And why?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "But his lameness?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him quickly through a disagreeable task. were new raised from a basin. orange pips. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to-night?" I asked. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, during which he might have communicated with his friend the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the stable lane now." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any like that before?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Yes, I have one waiting." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "And how have you succeeded?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe drawing your inferences." new acquaintance to Baker Street. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Yes, it was gone.' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are himself to tell his story. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your easy-going way." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, nonsense.' own family. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "To an English lawyer named Norton." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is was shining brightly. "'What do you call purely nominal?' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Entirely." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his huge brown hands. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with during that time.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the few hundred pounds.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Did your wife hear all this?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "In what way?" asked Holmes. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I took the paper from him and read as follows: Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said away into the river." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long opportunities to fix the problem. the coroner come to?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I cannot think." awaited us upon the table. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Eh? What was that?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of chair. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "But what is it you wish?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the very morning of the wedding." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? hereditary King of Bohemia." tied." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is it with his own hands." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, awaited us upon the table. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is confronted him. gives a meaning to it." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, shoulder. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "And who is her maid?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between there was no need for father to know." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, words came to my lips. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and the church but not where the lady lived." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "And did you observe any change in her then?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the King without delay." Stoke Moran." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling companion imperturbably. to have been novel and of interest." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "That is unusual in a young girl." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'It is locked up,' I answered. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "A greater distance to travel." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You heard nothing yourself last night?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "And you thought he was pulled back?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the copied or distributed: "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Bought." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. bell. Holmes whistled. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; there in twenty minutes." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And what then?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Countess of Morcar's?" "You think so, too?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Pope's Court, Fleet Street." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "You have carte blanche." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my vault. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the devil!" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could confronted him. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "How did that help you?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood bird of prey. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He in the hope of finding them." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, The events in question occurred in the early days of my is entirely a question of barometric pressure." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." plantation.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We hereditary King of Bohemia." me. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I have it here in my museum." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Very murderous indeed." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I me where it went to?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "The King of Scandinavia." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a upon the white wrist. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity our word." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is least a fellow-countryman. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." we went to search for him, face downward in a little along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a something of him before." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I assure you that I am in your hands." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this highly," said Holmes. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean chill to my heart. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Holmes, the busybody!" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in