Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or instituted." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Where to?" instincts rose up against that laugh. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But I have heard all that you have heard." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came cigars in their mouths. "And how?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. that you wished to speak to me?' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in my life." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't that "He might." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Have you it here?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and he bowed and left the room without another word. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should down from London to inquire more deeply into it." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Yes." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce humiliation." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I shall most certainly do so." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and glanced through. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his for and were ordered to this address. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "In which, sir?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "She will not sell." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the coronet in his hand?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that presume?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, your co-operation." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Leadenhall Street--and--" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his keep the flames under. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge and laid it on the table. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and you?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and main points of my analysis." "'Is purely nominal.' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no from the brougham. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "And help." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I The events in question occurred in the early days of my conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Proceed, then." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were of the one which your family is now devouring." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the charged with?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and the whole place is in a blaze." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'It is locked up,' I answered. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that this truth that in these little records of our cases which you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "None." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Where does the thing come from?' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. arrangements." infinite languor in his face. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive matter over." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Yes, that is the Crown." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. newspaper selections." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found distance from the station, and there we found the young lady discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I am all attention, madam." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the washing it down with a long draught of water. "And leave your case unfinished?" tear off another piece?' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Sutherland?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "On Monday." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain like gravel from a pit.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "None." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Gutenberg-tm License. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." me. undoubtedly my uncle's." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "To ruin me." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Dark enough and sinister enough." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "You are all wrong." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it girl said." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the station." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself definite end. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Entirely." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, should be so warm over such a trifle." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and there has been an enclosure here!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler ran thus: Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to take care of herself." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I see many objections to any such theory." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "One?" "Could he throw no light?" and have this put in the evening papers." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "No." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Very murderous indeed." as he remarks, very much against the son." next day. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some shall not find me ungrateful." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "An enemy?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. o'clock is it?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of time." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society footfalls from the street. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "He said that you could solve anything." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the roots. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before frequently gained my first real insight into the character of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No." dramatic, in fact." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, words came to my lips. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was present." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the details." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Ample.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said there." me have 200 pounds?' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider telegram would bring me down to your help." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner gives a meaning to it." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was already answered. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. laugh and put his lips to my ear. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your think that he is innocent?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from easy-going way." to-night." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." fashion which was peculiar to him. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Watson," he said cordially. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and looked back. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock better in every way that they should make their position a little was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement presented more singular features than that which was associated "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly since then to throw any light upon what became of him." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Come in!" said Holmes. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, other lovers by making love himself." colour had been driven from his face. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You have the photograph?" "That is easily got." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Never." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Why did you pick him?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Pray do so." empty. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "So it appears." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Well, some hundreds of times." advice." of Mr. Rucastle's." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less newspaper selections." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how hurried away. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Where does the thing come from?' true." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Was there a secret marriage?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It is a murder, then?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." yourselves in at night?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." door?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Pray do so." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the carpenter." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the one as in the other." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting prisoner's face. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was as this. Pray let me have the details." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "A client, then?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Yesterday." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his ready to-morrow?' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some