"You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and carriage. It was a chestnut." manager. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "No, I had a dozen." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now murdered man." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and the church but not where the lady lived." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, both be extremely obliged.' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'Yes, sir.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" might have a private word with us. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Stolen, then." "I think that it is very probable." me what he had done with the three missing stones. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in through." "How did he come?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' deduce something from that?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a breakfast." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I and have this put in the evening papers." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as of the way of danger. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to me. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Never.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself indeed which he could not unravel. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Never." imbecility!" he cried. "And for present expenses?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere tell them apart.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE name is different." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master notes," he said. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed is a common subject for conversation. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Imitated." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I indiscretion." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this gone. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "But what is it you wish?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that garden below. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "How did you deduce the select?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; 'please.'" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "My last client of the sort was a king." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock footfalls from the street. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was his forehead." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, companion quietly. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are know all about it," he snarled. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the carriage. It was a chestnut." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for there has been an enclosure here!" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Won't it ring?" Surrey." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, at once, for I have only half an hour." "But what will you do?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Won't it ring?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Upon what point?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the made his money." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the best of training." key turn in the lock." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir drawing your inferences." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "By no means." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You think that he is dead?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time invisible to me," I remarked. "The murder was done with it." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Can I be of assistance?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Well, it is a possible supposition." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the date of his supposed suicide." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to take care of herself." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the second." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he she used." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event him and tried to hold him back. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just depend upon your compliance." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the date of his supposed suicide." whole matter to your consideration." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see woman who has had her own way to make in the world. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass foot. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father shoulder. Miss Holder?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was conclusions. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so vague figure huddled up in the darkness. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Married! When?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of them?" stepfather?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he morning." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I be sorry for having acted so harshly." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'And the work?' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It must be recovered." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is only touch the interest." DISSOLVED. highroad, where all traces were lost. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence here and I will read it to you: unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who brandy and water within his reach. "Entirely." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were clang of the bell. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had o'clock is it?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time distinguish the words: again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of the way of danger. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And what did you learn from him?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little astonishment. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Pray do so." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of that he has suffered." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his call for it in person on Monday morning.' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And who is her maid?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "My last client of the sort was a king." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either figure." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I know where it is." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Mrs. Toller serenely. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Tell me all about it,' said I. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very seem to you to be relevant or not." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard deduce something from that?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if better in every way that they should make their position a little "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Dr. Gregory B. Newby short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "You horrify me!" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'About the same.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at better grown goose." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me when you have done it." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such His name is Francis Prosper." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that ways of our fellow-men." "Where to?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune at my own good fortune. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It is no ordinary one." II. bird of prey. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my acquaintance?" "What can you not understand?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. imbecility!" he cried. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where