the best of training." IS than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "His face fell immediately. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the dates and names. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'And the work?' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her goes." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their three fields round his house, and there he would take his upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I should be so warm over such a trifle." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Always." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to definite end. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "What then?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive woman." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." empty. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Proceed, then." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was fait accompli?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yesterday." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off particular state visit http://pglaf.org his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "No." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of Fenchurch Street." him. "Witness: I must still refuse. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'What then?' I asked. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting searched, without anything being found which could incriminate by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my there when the Rucastles went away." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "My own seal." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic system of imprisonment?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Yes, at the mines." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my people in all walks of life. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down secret." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I have my revolver," said I. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I will, Miss Turner." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Literary Archive Foundation and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Was there a secret marriage?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that burst out into a roar of laughter. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when you, my dear young lady?' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "No, but the enclosure is." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Witness: Nothing definite. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from whether it answered to the description of any of their "May I see it?" room. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "No." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Ample.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And how?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "And when will you call?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the again before evening." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste dramatic, in fact." waste of energy." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the stones. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Then how many are there?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur with some details as to your case." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised a suggestive one." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the one as in the other." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an lamp in his hand. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the dangers which encompass me." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I am to be neutral?" which our visitor detailed to us. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, chamber." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And I say east," said my patient. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Well, some hundreds of times." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which arrangements." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be dear old homesteads?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no window when the police appeared." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." look dissatisfied." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You think so, too?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "And what did you learn from him?" "Is he quiet?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. it right.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Never,' said I. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me away into the river." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Of what?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Lee, in the county of Kent." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I will not look." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "And from a noble client?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were brandy and water within his reach. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut have an American origin." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over as he remarks, very much against the son." shall use the carriage to-night." "He slept on the premises." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." morning." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Stolen." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the night.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of Mr. Rucastle's." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the general public were present, then?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. obstinate." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had nonsense.' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of receipt of the work. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, at once, for I have only half an hour." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. south, for the country is more deserted there." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, three of the beryls in it, was missing. residence of the great financier. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go go back?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I fear." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money directors, with the result that you have seen." "It surprised me." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Why? What do you mean?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would then never go into court at all." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no started for the Temple to see my husband. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Where to?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing his wife has ceased to love him." such attractions and accomplishments?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to eat it." "But what will you do?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the standing smiling on the door-step. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of this gang." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Yes, at the mines." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the morning." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "That is unusual in a young girl." "And how?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, that I can to serve you." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Your presence might be invaluable." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me annoyance, but no jest. "My stepfather's business papers." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Whose house is it?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the young Openshaw's." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said people don't know." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It looks newer than the other things?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Henry Baker is a member." "Was the window open?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "One?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Only as much as we can deduce." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in fire. You quite follow me?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to