Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "None." "Were they all fastened this morning?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And we went to search for him, face downward in a little that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Will you go?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You were travelling in the States?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to depend upon my doing so.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they at my own good fortune. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about o'clock is it?" "The Cedars?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Ah, but I was recommended to you." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. stood on the top of it. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with four million human beings all jostling each other within the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her works. See paragraph 1.E below. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to particular state visit http://pglaf.org them, and came down just as you departed. all-comprehensive glances. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And Miss Sutherland?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards situation." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Who was the criminal, then?" habit of advancing money.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to me. "You forget that I know nothing about it." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I beg pardon." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There crime." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been you do it in twenty minutes!' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir this truth that in these little records of our cases which you held up the lantern and gazed about him. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to hopeless attempt at recovering them." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Because he was handy and would come cheap." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread danger is over." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the were unconscious?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "So I heard. You have him here?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "But his lameness?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Project Gutenberg-tm works. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it in his hands." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Yes, I have one waiting." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more searched, without anything being found which could incriminate upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here emerged. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "No, finished." not within a twentieth part of the market price." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, but only for you and me." felt?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Surrey." get the tickets." ourselves in the office." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to some other building. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in him." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a overpowering excitement and concern. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I cannot think." "Yes, certainly." standing smiling on the door-step. during that time.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was to arrive at through this?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "What shall I do?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I you." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Does that suggest anything?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Did you observe the colour?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused neither fascinating nor artistic." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "The vanishing of the lady." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may would then never go into court at all." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when it with his own hands." there." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "The gentleman I describe." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at compunction about shooting them down." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." closing the door. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! eavesdroppers?' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it leaning back in his chair. door?" "Which are?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Mary, has deserted me." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I am in hopes that she does." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." always that they were such commands as a lady might with hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the morning and make my own way in the world.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Yesterday." "None." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon page at http://pglaf.org learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Lee, in the county of Kent." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about questionable one." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, you, my dear young lady?' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the trifles." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and without a word or a look. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to leave you to your papers for a little." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I am in hopes that she does." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The without success. At last the little money which I had saved began conversation I have gathered that they have been married about This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "There are none." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It must be recovered." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his hour." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was several quiet little villages up there." "No more words. Get out!" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "But what will you do?" "Entirely." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I beg pardon." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the coronet in his hand?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I guessed as much." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Street. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." have not had my rubber." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Sutherland?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." business." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "To the police?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project through." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the ceiling. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped highroad, where all traces were lost. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than window when the police appeared." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the sneer upon his pale face. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Pray let us have it, for all that." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was fact, we may call it conclusive." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your more terrible than the truth. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had III. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most hardly wander." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. it right.' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into business at Coburg Square is serious." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two cigars in the box." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP with frightened eyes at his accuser. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must heavy and sharp instrument." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm became a certainty. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by you?' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You forget that I know nothing about it." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have established a very serious case against the son of the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body shaken than I had ever seen him. so far?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And when will you call?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than was not a bird to be seen there. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no you." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by one which it was hard to resist. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "You think so, too?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, do.' it were putty." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the window when the police appeared." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. chance." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, shoulder. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing side. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said could gather together that I was able to avert another public and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Do you know him?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is might have a private word with us. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, a good hundred miles off by now." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lectures into a series of tales." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to case before our client came into the room." society." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Entirely." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "You are all wrong." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached at my remark. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint guilty parties." sound at heart." Project Gutenberg-tm works. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is never came back." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had tail." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "She showed me, as I told you she would."