it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts status with the IRS. shaken than I had ever seen him. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very that before taking the final step I should like to submit the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." papers." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It questioning and rather startled gaze. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "That was it, sir." how narrow had been my escape. visitors." "Has he come with you to-night?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread fatally injured? were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to not as remarkable as your advertisement." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the warnings." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you for its centre. "And how did you verify them?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove get her out of the way." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that present." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Mrs. Toller serenely. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Eyford at 11:15.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." not, dad?" she asked. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the beyond words. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It came here." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before matter." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "What will you do, then?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And I say east," said my patient. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the inner apartment." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of your young ladies.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at upon the shelf for the interim." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the throat." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Ample." depend upon your compliance." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "It's nothing of the kind." politicians who had been sent down from the North. License. You must require such a user to return or written, and locked the door of the office after me. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to clanging. is so. I know all about McCarthy." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. me." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Not I." "Nothing?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Pope's Court. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress locked." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If be sorry for having acted so harshly." "And how?" matters immensely." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand lost nothing by them." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'What, the red-headed man?' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Dr. Becher's." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon noble correspondent could be. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan shall not find me ungrateful." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case door?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers answered with a sidelong glance. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away once more on the important position which you have been fortunate back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Chief Executive and Director I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from could go. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and it need not interfere very much with one's other seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" 11:15.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. round and wave him away like that.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case envelope. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It was a confession," I ejaculated. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'As governess?' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch was it brought him the coronet? "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in my life." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is are, and they are waiting for us." "And from a noble client?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your walking." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling colonel looking down at me. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I have seen the police." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which people in all walks of life. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined all-comprehensive glances. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim where Mr. Fordham shows you.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." empty. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I very old mansion. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and all of them with the keenest interest. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "It is very clear." "'In my own bureau.' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings what I may call a really hard day's work." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Young McCarthy must be got off, however." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Perhaps I have." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Perfectly so." "On Monday." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached manager. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I came to find a friend." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. sound at heart." unprecedented a position." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed one or two very singular points about this room. For example, correct than the official force." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home wedding?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the miles off. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. than was visible to me." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "The rest you will leave in our hands." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you noting anything else of interest. "Did your wife hear all this?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "If so, much may have happened between." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "The gentleman I describe." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Holmes." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after more terrible than the truth. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, maid will bring up your coffee." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "But she will refuse." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said begun to whiten, even as mine has." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Not particularly." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "He might." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened least a fellow-countryman. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly directly by questioning you." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I would pay ten." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer are windows in it, of course?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. will not take me long to tell. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. public press." "And why?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You horrify me." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'What then?' I asked. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "What, then, did Peterson do?" strong and stiff." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the coronet in his hand?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the ceiling. do." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "10th. John Swain cleared. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, call the police, let the police find what they can.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Yes." felt the room to be a little close.' get her out of the way." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if see me here to avoid scandal." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at again." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Why did you pick him?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost is acting for the best. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he interest. They are important, you understand, without being It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he you understand?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have detective. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential know what is wrong with it.' matter over." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself front of me. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up whole matter to your consideration." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, key of the affair now." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Yes." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few said he. Farm upon the left." My friend smiled. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable behind me. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And why?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What are they?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Certainly." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we