there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and glanced through. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and I shall be with you presently." "Perhaps we may make them less so." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the respectable self." ran thus: Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the I approached. society." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated floor. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. death." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and capable of preserving a secret.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Who by?" "When did she vanish, then?" you." "Why did you beat the pavement?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Well?" o'clock is it?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Did your wife hear all this?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining that I may have something better before very many minutes are were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "To an English lawyer named Norton." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "He said that you could solve anything." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to habit of advancing money.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Certainly." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "You are hungry," I remarked. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "No." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Arthur Conan Doyle of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I if she died from some sudden fright." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "So I have heard." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Nothing." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Which are?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a meanly of me." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "What can it mean?" I gasped. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining there was no need for father to know." were wasted." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in the hope of finding them." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. strength of mind to control. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it you for a few hours?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "To the police?" "And how did he make his money?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about least a most suspicious remark." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking seem to you to be relevant or not." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that made him keep the appointment." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they have I gained?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she fuss that is made over them." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "He is still with you, I presume?" see me here to avoid scandal." tear off another piece?' "ARAT," I read. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a character. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Quite so." never to learn it at all." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some prepare for the new role I have to play." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had all-comprehensive glances. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "And help." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of only touch the interest." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without eat it." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a out." "'Where to?' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Thank you. And your address?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should excitement. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I nodded again. "Yes." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And from a noble client?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' several quiet little villages up there." "'Most admirably.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "It is true that I have been generally successful." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "But she will refuse." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Deserted you?" client, rising. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but she might be summoned. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "You'll never persuade me to believe that." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Who by?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite business at Coburg Square is serious." unclasping of his long thin hands. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot a room. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the forecastle of an emigrant ship. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Quite so. She has her freedom." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been derbies." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges asked. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't fishes. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A works. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." during that time.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned a few minutes he said that it would be all right. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Then what has happened to him?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his knees, staring into the fire. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must there!' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the running down." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still yards of it?' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Frequently." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Eyford at 11:15.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless remarked. one else, I think." to tackle the facts." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** very old mansion. behind me. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting point our research must commence, and we will begin it by visitors." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." forehead. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Come in!" said Holmes. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "A greater distance to travel." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What have you done?" asked Holmes. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "And how did you verify them?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Where to?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight get her out of the way." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than forecastle of an emigrant ship. murdered man." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if becomes even more simple." "When did it break out?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman appeared upon the scene." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the little opening for the ventilator is." October 9, 1890. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "He said too much." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side it? Did I buy the geese off you?" less than 26s. 4d. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "What have you to say now?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have easy-going way." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters young Openshaw's." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high brought there to personate someone, and the real person is black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "A thing like a cleaver," said he. shoulder. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through overpowering excitement and concern. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Pray continue your narrative." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so lost nothing by them." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover dates and names. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But how will you look?" in a friendly supper." directly by questioning you." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this shall not find me ungrateful." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked washing it down with a long draught of water. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when once more on the important position which you have been fortunate light and attacked it." appointment with me for six o'clock?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her address. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the there has been an enclosure here!" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening not come at once?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." village inn over there?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo system of imprisonment?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be neither fascinating nor artistic." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." it." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose call it cruel." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done she to prove their authenticity?" thought that she would have been so carried away." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "On Monday." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Her father is very rich?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with towards the blaze. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks,