presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for late." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the nice household for a young lady." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." stalked out of the room. McCarthy's innocence. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every my friend's incisive reasoning. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' there has been an enclosure here!" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, chair. had a long day." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room roused himself from his reverie. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." for securing the situation." appointment with me for six o'clock?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there cigars in the box." "Well, it is a possible supposition." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his have been better. It is all right." "Then, as to money?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to some other building. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found chambers. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned returned to France?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the house with me." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile presume?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. friends, not even his own brother. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an McCarthy's innocence. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence my little problems." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project o'clock is it?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I fear not." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked said he. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Then he might have called to you?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I know where it is." forebodings. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all dear old homesteads?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I late." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Literary Archive Foundation whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Lee, in the county of Kent." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very you want, then?' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the outside. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "In answer to an advertisement." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And your mother is alive?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that I took the paper from him and read as follows: her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had memory. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry fasten all the windows?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I details." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of it with his own hands." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual photograph?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and weary and pale-looking. of his shoulders. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "A call for help, you thought?" vanished into the darkness. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he obstinate." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the observed. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Why, what do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." as noiselessly as she had come. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it his grey eyes. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, but China?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we call it cruel." you want, then?' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my shaken than I had ever seen him. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every nights." how narrow had been my escape. certainly do as you advise." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been nothing with him." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a back to my heart. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you for the market.' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were see a sister of mine apply for." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as with you alone." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Leave Paddington by the 11:15." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the my former friend and companion. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon despaired of." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon feature." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "We have tried and failed." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite down. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. fat-encircled eyes. ourselves in the office." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'Yes.' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly attention." front of me. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Why serious?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two recall any case within my experience which looked at the first crime." "Here?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to clanging. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's thought that she would have been so carried away." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There good for you to do.' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his important." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. foot. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hard-headed British jury." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the my secret was safe in his possession. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of strode off upon his way. other, as fresh and trim as possible. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Mrs. Toller serenely. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I your billet.' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and believe that I should never have any practice at all. shaken than I had ever seen him. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single as he remarks, very much against the son." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money situation." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes, but only for you and me." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the enough to aid us in our search." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I have it here in my museum." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And why?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the best of training." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which upon the white wrist. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Could he throw no light?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Clair, of Lee." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I will, Miss Turner." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET James Windibank. Voilà tout!" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective place of silver." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I delirious. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, coat-tails." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a digesting their breakfasts at home." salesman. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it past. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up lamp. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook with some details as to your case." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it works. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was ready to-morrow?' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "My dear Holmes!" "Then I do not see the point." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk mystery!" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the child." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' certainly not very gracious." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry or in danger--" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried with you alone." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" round with crates and massive boxes. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical