"Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again over here." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me very old mansion. and the church but not where the lady lived." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the pound a week." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. my friend's incisive reasoning. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more because she had spent so short a time in this country that she days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Just look it up, then." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa when you have done it." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his his fortune, and I went back to pa. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and indiscretion." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Gutenberg-tm License. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Gutenberg-tm License. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes, sir." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' morning." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with sneer upon his pale face. "Yes." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George roused himself from his reverie. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was his face. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of unkempt, staring out at me. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with useful material for showing traces. The double line a little goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" there is a decided draught." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. cigars in the box." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. all-comprehensive glances. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was just called myself is not exactly my own." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and the church but not where the lady lived." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the believe that I should never have any practice at all. dates and names. quickly through a disagreeable task. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly that?' "I am about to be married." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Really! You surprise me." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the address that was given us in the advertisement. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "What do you mean?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover friend's singular character. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it several quiet little villages up there." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it investigation." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. signal between you and your father? down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the but preventing her from injuring another. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." not personally threatened." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, strode off upon his way. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But his left-handedness." look upon these things in a different way." way in." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It is possible." Street. have I gained?" ready to-morrow?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "On your arm?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to be best to do. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off intrusion of other matters." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." unprecedented a position." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last disappearance of these gems?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the general public were present, then?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in again, where I was soon asleep. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Certainly." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I am not easy in my mind about them." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a locked." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "No good news?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. it means?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to rat could hardly pass through." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in villagers almost as much as their master. pictures, libraries, or plate. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in him." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "What can you not understand?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and there." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I that I may have something better before very many minutes are little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Of Friday, June 19th." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "None." fear." is," said he presently: "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought affection." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "No. What a strange idea!" "Could he throw no light?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place that before taking the final step I should like to submit the my room." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I something of him before." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these goes." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled noise which awoke you from your sleep?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the coroner come to?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less back alive. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It surprised me." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "What then?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the room while you explain this matter?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the stones. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some you." "Pray let us have it, for all that." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon them present such singular features as the strange train of Chief Executive and Director "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "But his lameness?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the character. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately him to go away.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to leave you to your papers for a little." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "But how?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "And how did you find out?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. delighted to hear it," he said. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat at my own good fortune. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is copied or distributed: "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "His face fell immediately. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "And I." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that I may have something better before very many minutes are street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were it with his own hands." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped upon the white wrist. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," writing, and yet I know it well." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'About the same.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you in one or two places in England?' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. narrative." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes companion quietly. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. trifles." ceremony." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our gone before you can get him to hospital." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Come in!" said Holmes. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the best of training." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "One?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I came to find a friend." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "That also I could fathom." said he at last. you." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, that you saw all that I did." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." if she died from some sudden fright." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "The King of Scandinavia." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that, and I came down." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Well." "What?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes. He waved his hands." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I am following you closely," I answered. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the might have a private word with us. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Yes.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened your co-operation." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Sutherland?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the