very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the you." the general public were present, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the begun to whiten, even as mine has." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Then he might have called to you?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." possible that we could bring him back to her? those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank father's place of business?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I redistribution. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "What!" he roared. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to indiscretion." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I will do it." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite call for it in person on Monday morning.' used to be." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close little adventures." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Witness: It was. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Has he come with you to-night?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the bottom.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "And the cigar-holder?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Have you it here?" there is a decided draught." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I persecution?" father's young wife. breakfast?" your sleep?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin with frightened eyes at his accuser. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see humiliation." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Where does the thing come from?' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bled considerably." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in this as likely?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. certainly do as you advise." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "But what harm can there be in that?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Precisely." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, giving me time to thank him. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Awake, Watson?" he asked. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone o'clock is it?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Project Gutenberg-tm works. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "On the contrary, this is the right side." cigars in their mouths. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged becomes even more simple." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen invisible to me," I remarked. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "How did you trace it, then?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, new duties?' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "No good news?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay system of imprisonment?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was fuss that is made over them." signal between you and your father? narrative." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I written, and locked the door of the office after me. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and glanced through. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "And for present expenses?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "She walked into the breakfast-room." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'You cannot say what it was?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose But Holmes shook his head gravely. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be enter Dr. Roylott's room." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which From what you have told me I think that it is possible that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the good-night and bustled off upon her way. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly amused." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "You don't mind breaking the law?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes, they were peculiar boots." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Absolutely?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been will take you up to see the machine.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We detained." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day think that any burglar could have done. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Deserted you?" noting anything else of interest. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to went to the Alpha were town bred." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very believe that I should never have any practice at all. opportunities to fix the problem. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Was she in good spirits?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' woman." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this in this way: building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yes, from Horsham." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. shall not find me ungrateful." "My stepfather's business papers." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I know where it is." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are were new raised from a basin. laugh and put his lips to my ear. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was key of the affair now." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "The murder was done with it." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Pray continue your narrative." invisible to me," I remarked. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Pray continue your narrative." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "And why?" "Witness: I must still refuse. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps might have a private word with us. back into the street. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission introspective fashion. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It is no ordinary one." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her next day. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that he has suffered." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most upon the shelf for the interim." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Well." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in then?" happened." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," morning." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's back to my heart. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I there when the Rucastles went away." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble intimate personal affairs in this public manner." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely instituted." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fluttered off among the others. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "No." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Eyford at 11:15.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under chill to my heart. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting dramatic, in fact." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who fat-encircled eyes. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? hard-headed British jury." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And what did you see?" appeared upon the scene." read over the extraordinary announcement. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the gone. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "But how?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "It looks newer than the other things?" voice, changing her seat as requested. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Now, then, what's the last entry?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "What can you not understand?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Perfectly so." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "And how?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. attention." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far pity, because in other respects you would really have done very morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally despaired of." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that as noiselessly as she had come. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Then you may entirely rely on me." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Serpentine Avenue. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize my friend's incisive reasoning. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he least a fellow-countryman. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" was a lad." off." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Sutherland?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Witness: It was. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "To the police?" enter into my head. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Ten will be early enough." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to you understand?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "She showed me, as I told you she would." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that plantation.' any little problem which you may submit to me." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Stoke Moran?" said he. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my she might be summoned. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom