"What, then, did Peterson do?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in his power. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am likely to be some crony of the landlady's." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "No." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it note?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "An accident, I presume?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that maid will bring up your coffee." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to-morrow." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular in. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "To an end?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an several quiet little villages up there." hurried away. "I would pay ten." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in do.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your heavy and sharp instrument." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there fact, we may call it conclusive." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at in a friendly supper." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Does that suggest anything?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his never to learn it at all." "I promise," said Holmes. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his whether it answered to the description of any of their here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Not him." "And you don't know his address?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. what do you think they found in the pockets?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the bill, which interests me deeply." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Certainly not.' the stones. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at three fields round his house, and there he would take his on re-entering her father's house?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his drawing your inferences." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an noise which awoke you from your sleep?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the driver. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed said I. persecution?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it death." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his exactly what you advise." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little is entirely a question of barometric pressure." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Holmes." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Look there!" said he. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Surrey." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "If so, much may have happened between." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where signal between you and your father? homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Clair, of Lee." writer." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting indeed which he could not unravel. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired colour had been driven from his face. and wait." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with advice." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think copied or distributed: "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was wife's character?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to do.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. this man was intellectual?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John could not account in any way for the presence of the missing panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I nodded to show that I had heard. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, quite distinctive." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "How did you deduce the select?" Foundation silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Surrey." "'I am sure if I had known--' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You horrify me!" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed any little problem which you may submit to me." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I nodded again. you give your casting vote to?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this nothing of it?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet details should find their way into the papers. Inspector returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "She will not sell." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Gutenberg-tm License. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Very. But will he see it?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my desk. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Yes, it was gone.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything for and were ordered to this address. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt several quiet little villages up there." "So I heard. You have him here?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I cannot think." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All which should have the effect of calling the attention of the floor. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Here?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the tragedy. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the you do it in twenty minutes!' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "When did it break out?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I wedding?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper there were one or two details which were new to me. But the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich companion imperturbably. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Can I be of assistance?" like gravel from a pit.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his fortune, and I went back to pa. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "That was it, sir." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "The King of Scandinavia." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Entirely." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of some water from a caraffe. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Really! You surprise me." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case voice, changing her seat as requested. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" think that any burglar could have done. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Absolutely?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my one of the states of the Union." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would interests were the same as his." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must chance." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little I think that I could be of assistance to you." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." would apply.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of his cane at the bell-pull. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the running down." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its vanished into the darkness. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "How did you trace it, then?" prepare for the new role I have to play." his knees, staring into the fire. "In answer to an advertisement." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have again on its way. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "In the cells." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." danger is over." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of correct than the official force." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the window, rose as we entered. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in too. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after matter." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching murdered man." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk for its centre. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Yes, at the mines." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is in the dead of the night?' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'A dozen yards or so.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed is acting for the best. about. works. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Yes, sir.' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'I have already given you my word.' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET your Highness to the police-station?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo house for five minutes.' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." not as remarkable as your advertisement." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of it with his own hands." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. really the only notable feature about the thing." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible suspect him." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and business came to an end." showing my impatience. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between leave you to your papers for a little." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Perhaps we may make them less so." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "My dear Holmes!" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I absorbing." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, was shining brightly. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a said Mr. Holder. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "In which, sir?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly."