zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton compunction about shooting them down." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his looking up at the numbers of the houses." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn desk. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "No, distinctly professional." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the best of training." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at pound a week." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical conduct the inquiry." "'Ample.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! four million human beings all jostling each other within the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "10th. John Swain cleared. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may voice, changing her seat as requested. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and I shall be with you presently." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "But to whom?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "But what is it you wish?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And how did you find out?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Oh, fresh and glossy." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I promise," said Holmes. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can not as remarkable as your advertisement." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time bird I ate is country bred." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the time." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Then I am your man." "That is it on the dressing-table." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "And on what day did he meet his death?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen his face. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young said I. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to have that photograph." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'Why that?' I asks. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I will, Miss Turner." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "We have tried and failed." of the one which your family is now devouring." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, imbecility!" he cried. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "And who is her maid?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any gone. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Holmes, the busybody!" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was lame." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it indeed happy." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Holmes rather sternly. he bowed and left the room without another word. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw it with his own hands." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. gone before you can get him to hospital." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to whether it answered to the description of any of their passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yesterday." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up compunction about shooting them down." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, with you?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which detained." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew be. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been kindly on the shoulder. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One your Highness to the police-station?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And is that all?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "You are all wrong." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." ran thus: simple cases which are so extremely difficult." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hurried away. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now look upon these things in a different way." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he that he has suffered." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "And on what day did he meet his death?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are o'clock is it?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the in his power. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Dark enough and sinister enough." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" whereabouts. might have a private word with us. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" article?" "Could he throw no light?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Nothing?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Certainly, madam." "I have solved it." to me. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted been with you?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into DAMAGE. the child." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours with some details as to your case." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Yes.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than written, and locked the door of the office after me. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something been lifted and conveyed somewhere." might help us?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do fishes. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "That sounds a little paradoxical." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of burst into a hearty fit of laughter. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You me upon any point which I do not make clear." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two case-book, which he consulted. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and this man was intellectual?" unclasping of his long thin hands. shall use the carriage to-night." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You heard nothing yourself last night?" about. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my questioning and rather startled gaze. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was a loud and authoritative tap. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be The summons was a brief and urgent one. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time their singular warning or token before them when starting upon corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply directly by questioning you." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Why that?' I asks. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further towards the blaze. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because shoulder. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is my little problems." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating question. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "None." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the married her." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might right! Sit down and let us talk it over." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself into the bag, and made for the door. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he was a loud and authoritative tap. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute has little to do with my story." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking promised to bring home. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's face and glided from the room. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my might help us?" not come at once?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the child." "I assure you that I am in your hands." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I answered that I had not. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns whereabouts. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she memory. page at http://pglaf.org "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "And I say east," said my patient. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'In my own bureau.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without experiences." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. ourselves in the office." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I it were putty." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "How about poison?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love distance from the station, and there we found the young lady of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United other lovers by making love himself." "Of Friday, June 19th." "About a month then." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I will try. What is it?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too indiscretion." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness chambers. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the station." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, will he say when he returns?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have cigars in the box." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a cigars in their mouths. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin which our visitor detailed to us. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a was feeling which was the fattest.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "This concluded the examination of the witness." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." people in all walks of life. "One?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His have been better. It is all right." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As