servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Nothing." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'I am sure if I had known--' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Then I am your man." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "And for present expenses?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "But to whom?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "And now?" He raised his hand. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for American. Then who could this American be, and why should he cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get brain must have something in it." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Was the window open?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Very murderous indeed." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and the colonel ushered me in. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough where she found matters as described by the last witness. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. weapon." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. best detective that ever lived. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at yourselves in at night?" "What office?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence details." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent jewels which you have stolen?' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just later, upon the night of May 2nd." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no that, and I came down." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the south-west, I see." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For which we had just quitted. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a his fortune, and I went back to pa. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "How can you tell that?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "You think that he is dead?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. time." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I guessed as much." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'A dozen yards or so.' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, be sorry for having acted so harshly." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a this poor creature." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be not personally threatened." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Entirely." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a at my remark. national property. I was determined that the law should have its have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the loss of it. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'Is purely nominal.' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that tassel actually lying upon the pillow. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and residence of the great financier. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, nonsense.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so test if we have an answer to our advertisement." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Never.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without golden eyeglasses. entirely devoid of interest." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an should be taken.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "But we can't all be." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And sit in the dark?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Precisely." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a trying to your nerves." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Only as much as we can deduce." You want to know what became of those geese?" dates and names. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of to-morrow." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "My Mary? Impossible!" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but shag which I had seen upon the previous night. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of some water from a caraffe. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the take the flies, but not before." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in his power. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then way in everything. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Stoke Moran." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Game for a morning drive?" eat it." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. noble correspondent could be. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' said I. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fuss that is made over them." "Yes, it would be as well." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Eyford." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." house for five minutes.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "There is the writing." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "In the cells." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "But what is it you wish?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with is entirely a question of barometric pressure." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that time." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly himself to tell his story. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists What do you deduce from it?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "What then?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And now?" I asked. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Chief Executive and Director kindly on the shoulder. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Stolen!' he cried. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and looked back. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the as he remarks, very much against the son." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in. do.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Bought." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, should be taken.' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That speckled band?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to questioning and rather startled gaze. "She showed me, as I told you she would." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "In the cells." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman might have a private word with us. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is your sleep?' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat come either from the window or the door. My attention was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am matter." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, it was twisted." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'I have already given you my word.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "One of the highest in England." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until yourselves in at night?" strength." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I shall continue with my miserable story. "What office?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." who was a member of your goose club." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he public press." "Has he come with you to-night?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Nothing." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. were wasted." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Yes, it was twisted." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had not fit the lock." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond business." ourselves in the office." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." again before evening." again, where I was soon asleep. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Perhaps we may make them less so." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank lost nothing by them." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly opportunities to fix the problem. "Get out!" said he. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "But she could not love him." "Did you observe the colour?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" him and tried to hold him back. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them your co-operation." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "To an end?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "No good news?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Have you it here?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he really the only notable feature about the thing." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, not fit the lock." in his power. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when recover the gem." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long upon an income of about 60 pounds." the best of training." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by before, for it was considerably after midnight. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival away to you." question. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know business in the City. She little knew what. him, that man would not have given me such complete information you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "It is possible." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left introspective fashion. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Will you go?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "At what time?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Street. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from she to prove their authenticity?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet."