served to weaken the effect. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and glanced through. "'Most admirably.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her his wife has ceased to love him." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Quite so." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And it is--" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never official police." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. man. I know him from the photograph." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Count Von Kramm." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about presume?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were even so self-evident a thing as that." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "No." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said new duties?' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my enter Dr. Roylott's room." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small humiliation." will he say when he returns?" room had already been engaged for us. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about if I call to-morrow?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open nothing of it?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "From his hat?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I The King stared at him in amazement. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the note?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "But not more so than I to find you." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open friends, not even his own brother. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that you saw all that I did." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I am still in the dark." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get call for it in person on Monday morning.' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Sholtos." business." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "What, then, did Peterson do?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her manager. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Not in the least." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'And the work?' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own round and wave him away like that.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I am still in the dark." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. existence." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "At the wedding breakfast." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my eavesdroppers?' was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost vague figure huddled up in the darkness. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He prisoner's face. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such of his shoulders. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted important." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "But of what society?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there perplexity from it to my illustrious client. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my are, and they are waiting for us." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and already been minutely examined." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel it." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Then, how do you know?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Holmes, the busybody!" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and all of them with the keenest interest. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Here?" open." "By all means." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this companion. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Oh, yes, easily." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was husband's writing, madam." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Not yet." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "On the contrary, this is the right side." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." second." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the your own bird, so if you wish--" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for outbreak?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For have not had my rubber." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And on what day did he meet his death?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the is," said he presently: He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lectures into a series of tales." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I think that it is very probable." But Holmes shook his head gravely. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the gentleman's clothes. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is comes from the middle window." "Game for a morning drive?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Pool. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he lids now and glanced across at his visitor. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Will you bet, then?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. indiscretion." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than present." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It burst out into a roar of laughter. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will sit on the left-hand side of the driver." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were happened." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban back to my heart. despaired of." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed knowledge of the world." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that to-night's adventure." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the warnings." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better most important business. It is probable that he will be away all about. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Of what day?" most interesting one." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes, it was twisted." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "The Coroner: What do you mean? profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most take the flies, but not before." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the hour?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The might help us?" room had already been engaged for us. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who really the only notable feature about the thing." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly carriage. It was a chestnut." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his shoulder. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten at a side door. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sooner or later she must fall a victim. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Always." "Certainly." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little floor. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." reach." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. to talk it over. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." several quiet little villages up there." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Very much so." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some off." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the ceiling. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes." Cross for the Continent." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of During two years I have had three consultations and one small of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "To ruin me." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I orange pips. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "And I." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its whereabouts. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought or in danger--" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather arrested. You then--" "'Quite sure, dad.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the instincts rose up against that laugh. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his nonsense.' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only through." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an said he, "my real name is James Ryder." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I have come for advice." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the him!" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one 'please.'" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." yourselves in at night?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And now?" I asked. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is brain must have something in it." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this his wife has ceased to love him." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to me have 200 pounds?' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "A greater distance to travel." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Very murderous indeed." papers must be those that are destroyed.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his details."