any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what stalked out of the room. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Ample.' absorbing." hour." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had hardly wander." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Dr. Becher's." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my night.' said he. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of highroad, where all traces were lost. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." off." bonnet, and went out." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "From his hat?" "Did he not advertise?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you in yours." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Precisely." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "What office?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It surprised me." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with business matters.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I for its centre. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "We must have a cab." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "How are you getting on?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the examine." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small in a friendly supper." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And your mother is alive?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the http://www.gutenberg.net "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to-morrow." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "That is it on the dressing-table." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "VIOLET HUNTER." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. for the market.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," wedding?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than congratulate you again." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was assist you in forming an opinion." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. straightened it out again. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the night.' nonsense.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with me what he had done with the three missing stones. appeal." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "What of the rat, then?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "He is dead," cried several voices. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I shall continue with my miserable story. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of had this final quarrel? bled considerably." Mrs. Toller serenely. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter he bowed and left the room without another word. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And how have you succeeded?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" before the coroner and the police-court." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to tackle the facts." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your which are rolled in Rotterdam." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "That is unusual in a young girl." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "And now?" I asked. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, gone before you can get him to hospital." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young could gather together that I was able to avert another public the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "But what harm can there be in that?" undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that threaten you." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Always." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not DAMAGE. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Your sister is dead, then?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to over part of the map. "What do you read?" such person." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "The Cedars?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's directors, with the result that you have seen." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." least a fellow-countryman. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of see a sister of mine apply for." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will tassel actually lying upon the pillow. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out shall not find me ungrateful." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "At half-wages, in fact." will not take me long to tell. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not chemical work which was so dear to him. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without at once, for I have only half an hour." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. him. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so been with you?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, tell him that I know him to be innocent." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the know all about it," he snarled. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to shaken than I had ever seen him. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" lost nothing by them." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I fear not." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the next day. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to a more successful conclusion." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem him and tried to hold him back. the little opening for the ventilator is." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from particular state visit http://pglaf.org handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On eat it." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have thin legs towards the fire. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left a good hundred miles off by now." "And did you observe any change in her then?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I cannot think." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem McCarthy." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Who by?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a himself to tell his story. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to noting anything else of interest. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Very. But will he see it?" "I answered that I had not. "She showed me, as I told you she would." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's shadow pass over his face as I spoke. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." invisible to me," I remarked. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy chemical work which was so dear to him. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he she has been waylaid. There has been no result." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged comes from the middle window." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. exactly what you advise." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Dark enough and sinister enough." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most I leave." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate situation." breakfast." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those despaired of." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we tell him that I know him to be innocent." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I cannot imagine." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and used to be." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "His face fell immediately. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of girl said." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to not fit the lock." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of DAMAGE. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was ventilator." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps answered with a sidelong glance. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just