Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their situation." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Nothing." "Then how many are there?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Miss Holder?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the yards of it?' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which less than 26s. 4d. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he this remarkable episode. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the carried out of court." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. crime." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several interests were the same as his." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Well." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all sound at heart." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "None." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "What office?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" indeed which he could not unravel. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Miss Holder?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "What are they?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And help." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we You can understand that this register and diary may implicate employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Holmes' thin, eager face. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his asked. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking threw himself down with his face to the pillow. careless servant girl?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour did not hear it also.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "At what time?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in his power. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I that you saw all that I did." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the dangers which encompass me." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning cigar and let me expound." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I fear not." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, look upon these things in a different way." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look very old mansion. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the room while you explain this matter?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And Miss Sutherland?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a papers diligently of late, have you not?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for happened." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the inner apartment." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hair?' "I am to be neutral?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. over with notes and figures. "And Miss Sutherland?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "To the police?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be questionable one." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales because she had spent so short a time in this country that she relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It looks newer than the other things?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips look upon these things in a different way." been able to understand it, in a very few words. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "What will you do, then?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "You horrify me!" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and it right.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "What is it, then--a fire?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "One?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then I am your man." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking have got?" Cross for the Continent." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the for and were ordered to this address. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical salesman. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it this Miss Turner." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed heavy and sharp instrument." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his hurried by. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." cigars in the box." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat companion. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who standing smiling on the door-step. back alive. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And it is--" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, we went to search for him, face downward in a little and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive is so. I know all about McCarthy." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little For additional contact information: business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of with you?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'In my own bureau.' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Doctor, of the paper and the date." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and if I call to-morrow?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "She showed me, as I told you she would." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I salesman. for its centre. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and promised to bring home. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." anything to do with the matter?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these train from Paddington which would bring you there at about in a very precise fashion." matter over." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and I shall be with you presently." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It is no ordinary one." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do an introduction to him?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. to arrive at through this?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "One?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, observed. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune ceremony." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "From his hat?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And help." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I say that I have solved it." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Then I do not see the point." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the unprecedented a position." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Pray continue your narrative." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, be there in time for your coming." yet." "Never." Count Von Kramm." bonnet, and went out." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and that he would see to anything that turned up. fuss that is made over them." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, rat could hardly pass through." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address to-night." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at nights." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "VIOLET HUNTER." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. awaited us upon the table. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. hurried by. "Yes, it would be as well." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." when you have done it." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of down. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of respectable self." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying acquaintance?" in this way: Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no several quiet little villages up there." father's young wife. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as his wife has ceased to love him." "Well, but China?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Well, some hundreds of times." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It ourselves in the office." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "He is still with you, I presume?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere be. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, look dissatisfied." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But she will refuse." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Stolen, then." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to shall not find me ungrateful." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the been shamefully used." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you ashen face. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Where is it, then?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. is acting for the best. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Then, how do you know?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what at my own good fortune. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out all-comprehensive glances. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is room had already been engaged for us. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. bare slabs of marble. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Certainly, madam."