"But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. me have 200 pounds?' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in new acquaintance to Baker Street. bird of prey. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I should wish to." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf tail." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Tired-looking or fresh?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom have one." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The telegram would bring me down to your help." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said as yours." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. pressing in one house as in another. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then was the fact that his father should, according to his account, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "That also I could fathom." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a http://gutenberg.net/license). That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "It is true that I have been generally successful." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. fire. You quite follow me?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "When did it break out?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. six. Come in!" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Do you know him?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper question. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I cannot think." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very think, you have already met." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and a shock of very red hair. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a shall not find me ungrateful." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'I shall certainly be there.' my former friend and companion. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Not I." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study my special province." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle forbidden door. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Nothing." "That you are never beaten." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard people don't know." "It certainly sounds feasible." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the matter." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing she slowly sank and died without having recovered her that before taking the final step I should like to submit the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess weapon." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences in. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Imitated." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the populous neighbourhood." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked from the brougham. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in round and wave him away like that.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the residence of the great financier. "Where is it, then?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the could gather together that I was able to avert another public corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to nothing of it?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Witness: Nothing definite. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that she used." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the something of him before." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew strange features which were associated with the two crimes which journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would point in the dark hollow of his hand. Chief Executive and Director with some details as to your case." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. stepfather?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from him. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Most admirably.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while means taking possession of that which another person has a prior thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges instincts rose up against that laugh. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "So I have heard." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. light and attacked it." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." correct than the official force." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two which are rolled in Rotterdam." morning." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'Yes, sir.' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. never will be, entirely cleared up. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can me have 200 pounds?' "What?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Leadenhall Street--and--" following enigmatical notices: smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. back alive. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, way in." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "What! You do not mean bodies?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a there has been an enclosure here!" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an breakfast." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we business." will he say when he returns?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every drawing your inferences." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the coronet in his hands?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to absorbing." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the roots. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him had this final quarrel? "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Oh, yes, easily." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I am about to be married." window when the police appeared." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had union?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Nothing." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the driver. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so dramatic, in fact." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Bought." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been on re-entering her father's house?" forbidden door. soul! here is her carriage at the door." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough this unhappy family?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the running down." tail." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "And for present expenses?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six 1.E.9. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I shall continue with my miserable story. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his second." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Where to?' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "That is also quite modern," said the lady. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Pope's Court. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "None. Neville wrote those words." his eyes and forehead. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It goes to the housekeeper's room." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That business." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the results." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main roused himself from his reverie. questioning and rather startled gaze. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Why? What do you mean?" direction." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. feature." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small too. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue derbies." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on His name is Francis Prosper." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of them has the shutters up.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." directly by questioning you." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well, some hundreds of times." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the very morning of the wedding." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the before, for it was considerably after midnight. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Stoke Moran?" said he. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Why? What do you mean?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Eyford at 11:15.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." them?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Deserted you?" "What is it, then--a fire?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just undoubtedly my uncle's." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did his face. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual lamp. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and the colonel ushered me in. new acquaintance to Baker Street. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had notes," he said. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so be.' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell States. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "And help." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have up this clue while it is still hot." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great yet." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Yes.' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Street. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the presented more singular features than that which was associated in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for evidence," I remarked. "Could he throw no light?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend strength." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her during which he might have communicated with his friend the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before