filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole had formerly been in part my own. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day knowledge of the world." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying some city in a dream. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned crowd. http://www.gutenberg.net considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "At half-wages, in fact." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And now?" I asked. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, father's young wife. away to you." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Have you good authority for what you say?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon pound a week." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "And it is--" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very some mystery and the punishment of some crime." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the been." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I know where it is." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND ventilator." Where does the thing come from?' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "But you can know nothing of this?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of there." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can minor matters until to-morrow." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Ample.' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and the colonel ushered me in. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put before the coroner and the police-court." indeed which he could not unravel. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which his huge brown hands. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue discontent upon his features. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony astonishment. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I guessed as much." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," mysterious end." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to to-night's adventure." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the little opening for the ventilator is." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for assist you in forming an opinion." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance not come at once?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt directly by questioning you." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I have solved it." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the stones. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to know what is wrong with it.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What can it mean?" I gasped. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." you want, then?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. him. is now desirous of getting those letters back." morning." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he my friend's incisive reasoning. investigation." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed fasten all the windows?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram hour." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the devil!" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, details." was a perfect sample of the class. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his get the tickets." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of pressing in one house as in another. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid said he. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "What shall I do?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Surrey." was a loud and authoritative tap. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to my friend's incisive reasoning. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the business matters.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave never to learn it at all." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Come in!" said Holmes. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Do you know him?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Very well, sir. And this stone?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her quickly through a disagreeable task. unprecedented a position." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back intrusion of other matters." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Well?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but what these perils are?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, shoulder; "he's all right." them?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle three of the beryls in it, was missing. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Yes, but only for you and me." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem laugh and put his lips to my ear. over with notes and figures. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But the mystery?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his where she found matters as described by the last witness. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from his knees, staring into the fire. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Henry Baker is a member." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we in his power. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the 11:15.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Will you go?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "What are they?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my them present such singular features as the strange train of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were green of the new foliage. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Where, then, is my wife?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. had died away into the silence from which it rose. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Pray continue your narrative." to his chemical studies. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged narrative." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the confronted him. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. went to the Alpha were town bred." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." lumber-room." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, felt the room to be a little close.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It is now desirous of getting those letters back." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are was lame." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no secret." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a suddenly upon us." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. fire. You quite follow me?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "The best possible." "This photograph!" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should touch that coronet?' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Did you observe the colour?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the evidence," I remarked. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me man. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "But she could not love him." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Then what has happened to him?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying that he has suffered." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's whether it answered to the description of any of their caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and have this put in the evening papers." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Eh? What was that?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET any little problem which you may submit to me." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "He is dead," cried several voices. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the must compliment you." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "She told me to ask you." "It is possible." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Come in!" said he. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing visitors." tail." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to tackle the facts." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'About the same.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a several quiet little villages up there." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so breakfast." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you do.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the window, rose as we entered. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. yet." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this you found me to-night--and running through the front room she into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking some city in a dream. directly by questioning you." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my persecution?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where me." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece one else, I think." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a felt?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that what do you think they found in the pockets?" so.' the general public were present, then?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I will try. What is it?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, system of imprisonment?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or never will be, entirely cleared up. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated morning." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain with her." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other