huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It is possible." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Did your wife hear all this?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two papers." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and entirely lost his self-respect." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark you give your casting vote to?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and his cane at the bell-pull. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Who was the criminal, then?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes, the wine-cellar." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, awaited us upon the table. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my seven miles from Eyford Station.' mystery." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. you understand?" emerged. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yesterday." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of from you?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. pound a week." you give your casting vote to?" "It is possible." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Nearly eleven." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if obstinate." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be sneer upon his pale face. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found writing, and yet I know it well." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried up this clue while it is still hot." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City your own bird, so if you wish--" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered fattened it expressly for you.' "Yes, at the mines." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is excitement. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the tragedy. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are chance at all." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that questionable one." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "So it appears." "Dr. Becher's." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "By no means." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean you, my dear young lady?' you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the would apply.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the existence." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small note?" himself to tell his story. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their could not have written that. It is the German who is so possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, legal crime." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had he died? which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Street. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal yet." was a perfect sample of the class. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Where, indeed?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Never,' said I. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture or other trace. But how on earth--" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "10th. John Swain cleared. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the weapon." reach." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose tied." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And your mother is alive?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and than was visible to me." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Yes, all." any little problem which you may submit to me." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "What shall I do?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be families. Now for the facts. again before evening." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, man. I know him from the photograph." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Holmes' thin, eager face. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "What office?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Heh?' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some confronted him. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it to arrive at through this?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he who was a member of your goose club." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "My opinion is in no way altered." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was said he. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias in this note: be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" answer." meant." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "It looks newer than the other things?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "What can you not understand?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I have hopes." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I nodded to show that I had heard. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into writer." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last official police." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell been lifted and conveyed somewhere." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that there was nothing in it, after all." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just trying to your nerves." it means?" asked with his eyes open. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. hereditary King of Bohemia." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for woven round him. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' careless servant girl?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly companion quietly. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and capable of preserving a secret.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Stolen!' he cried. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Where, then?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which may never be exposed to such a temptation." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which been able to understand it, in a very few words. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that The events in question occurred in the early days of my law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. residence of the great financier. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of few hundred pounds.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it outside. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET as he folded up the epistle. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a was lame." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'And the work?' shoulder; "he's all right." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 11:15.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in the hope of finding them." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You'll never persuade me to believe that." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so rose-bushes. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several of the one which your family is now devouring." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "It missed him, then?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very were unconscious?" and inquire as to the address." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers children over to America with him, so that I found myself without breakfast." "A call for help, you thought?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "We were both in the photograph." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "There are none." she to prove their authenticity?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, residence of the great financier. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who appointment with me for six o'clock?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" directly by questioning you." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense bears upon the case?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle least a most suspicious remark." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." pictures, libraries, or plate. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My hour." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "From his hat?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Ah!" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian really the only notable feature about the thing." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some correct than the official force." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of arrangements." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no