moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. forbidden door. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" assist you in forming an opinion." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the presume?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "ARAT," I read. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story your own bird, so if you wish--" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "No sign of it?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, details." bonnet, and went out." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the general public were present, then?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "In what way?" asked Holmes. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "By no means." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a flock.' question. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the colour had been driven from his face. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was at my own good fortune. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which written. you understand?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in affair. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they there." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And how?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It's nothing of the kind." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and capable of preserving a secret.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw secret." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or think that any burglar could have done. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the disturbance in my wife." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "But it has twice been burgled." bachelor.' already referred to. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until II. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he her also." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "But you were on a friendly footing?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Never." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Entirely." "You think that he is dead?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Leadenhall Street--and--" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the stable lane now." "No." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with already referred to. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business light and attacked it." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the meanly of me." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party coat-tails." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into always that they were such commands as a lady might with resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, him, that man would not have given me such complete information fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it his huge brown hands. done what I asked you, Jones?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Quite so." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I am to be neutral?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. me where it went to?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Surrey." character. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "And the murderer?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Eyford." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of the vacancies.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to miss it." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding hurried away. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very think, you have already met." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who singular points about the case. What did the police think of the entirely lost his self-respect." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." may never be exposed to such a temptation." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert think that he is innocent?" "I cannot imagine." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a over here." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had cause to be." despair." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business digesting their breakfasts at home." the window, rose as we entered. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "A client, then?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my London for the present?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Ten will be early enough." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Your presence might be invaluable." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that there was nothing in it, after all." "Here?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler how narrow had been my escape. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope you in yours." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole in. "To ruin me." answered with a sidelong glance. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "You will not go there first?" observed. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." families. Now for the facts. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Holmes' face clouded over. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hard-headed British jury." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Game for a morning drive?" straightened it out again. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Sutherland?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster grasp, he hurried from the room. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. John Swain, of St. Augustine. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard in darkness. been." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into delirious. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that his face. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the might have a private word with us. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." despair." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I cannot imagine." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and chemical work which was so dear to him. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" awkward doing business with an alias." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to recover the gem." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one room. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, for securing the situation." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "And I." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad someone who had been in Australia." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and never to learn it at all." "Yes." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called have I gained?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to have that photograph." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Very. But will he see it?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "He slept on the premises." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in do." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and locked." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son arms and began to sob in a high treble key. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of retorted upon me, and I on you." McCarthy." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Not particularly." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. on re-entering her father's house?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It missed him, then?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." speckled band?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear suggested at once that there must be a communication between the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to will be renamed. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about light and attacked it." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and make me his representative both with the servants and with the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of 11:15.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from promised to bring home. events than those which have happened in my own family." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the salesman. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that?' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "He slept on the premises." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it for and were ordered to this address. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; interested in these little problems, and since you are good although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and plantation.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "That is easily got." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from assist you in forming an opinion." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the him and tried to hold him back. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the nursery. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less my secret was safe in his possession. breakfast?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I am all attention, madam." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." young Openshaw's." "'I am sure that I do not know.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Absolutely none." undoubtedly my uncle's." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "A greater distance to travel." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have examination of the premises, but without finding anything which near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor.