possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months know all about it," he snarled. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Never." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "When did it break out?" client, rising. "You horrify me." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as but preventing her from injuring another. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all minor matters until to-morrow." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly must compliment you." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the side-table." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Never." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be noble correspondent could be. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of that you can jump it.' events than those which have happened in my own family." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Doctor, of the paper and the date." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "No. What a strange idea!" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the vanished into the darkness. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he yet." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "So I heard. You have him here?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Quite so. She has her freedom." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Watson," he said cordially. new duties?' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to that open window." "It is very clear." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable clanging. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a few hundred pounds.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "One of his hands." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being so far?" "But we can't all be." "Yes, sir." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "No, I had a dozen." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "No, I am descending." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to bell. Holmes whistled. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all everything which you would wish to know." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who allusion to a rat. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), shoulder. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and glanced through. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the walking." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the stones. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and your relations to her." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed where we are going." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I was sure that I might rely on you." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Ten will be early enough." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was he died? over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he died? Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'And what salary do you ask?' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no there has been an enclosure here!" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I say it is." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me never will be, entirely cleared up. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your constraint." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where read it out to me." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "How did he come?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do for and were ordered to this address. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much tail." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" behind me. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a experiences." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I approached. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable how narrow had been my escape. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. done what I asked you, Jones?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at me, and I could not think that his explanation of the forehead. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Absolutely?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to-morrow." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to such attractions and accomplishments?' point in the dark hollow of his hand. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and have I gained?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. better grown goose." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Pray be precise as to details," said he. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. back alive. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. events, Mr. Windibank!" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I assure you that I am in your hands." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'Ample.' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove just ask you whether you had heard it.' forehead. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, but China?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and tied." "You think that he is dead?" "She told me to ask you." such person." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was is," said he presently: separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were writer." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on appeal." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked other lovers by making love himself." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple his eyes and forehead. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "What can you not understand?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that excitement. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met gone. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, developed." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to door?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very she has been waylaid. There has been no result." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or beyond words. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'Oh, no.' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Gutenberg-tm License. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'And the work?' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he may have an influence upon European history." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' believe that I should never have any practice at all. sooner or later she must fall a victim. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. closely." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. meant it for the best. "Could he throw no light?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this conceal it?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "But what harm can there be in that?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black bird I ate is country bred." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I wife's character?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I am to be neutral?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to Leatherhead. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the o'clock is it?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in but preventing her from injuring another. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and that he would see to anything that turned up. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a there in twenty minutes." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "One of his hands." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion deduce something from that?" bill, which interests me deeply." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though guilty one." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "And sit in the dark?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "That is it on the dressing-table." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Absolutely?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, again on its way. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. power." I shall communicate with you." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern."