out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "And why?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate me. You must get home instantly and act." "It is a murder, then?" room had already been engaged for us. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I client, rising. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the get the tickets." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Absolutely none." happened." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. already been minutely examined." your most interesting statement." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be green of the new foliage. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you again, where I was soon asleep. closing the door. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the coroner come to?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And what did you learn from him?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always young Openshaw's." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" me." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification strong reason behind." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I am sure." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the King without delay." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten records." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the guilty one." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Perhaps we may make them less so." if I call to-morrow?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated bird of prey. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the stable lane now." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I should like to see him very much." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the be there in time for your coming." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, orange pips. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are your sleep?' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when gone. "An enemy?" "I cannot say that I have." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. has little to do with my story." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Street. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be better grown goose." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and this poor creature." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Holmes' face clouded over. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the at home. "The gentleman I describe." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "An accident, I presume?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." some city in a dream. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Seven!" I answered. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "And now?" I asked. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; murdered man." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'And the work?' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking occupations.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of campaign. presume?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" crime." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "She will not sell." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: it? Did I buy the geese off you?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done these bleak autumnal evenings." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all bears upon the case?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Of what?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You horrify me!" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and put his glass in his pocket. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness people don't know." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and becomes even more simple." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang said he at last. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in his power. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my seem to you to be relevant or not." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "And did you observe any change in her then?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The seem to you to be relevant or not." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting a very grave face. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached following enigmatical notices: his huge brown hands. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit 'I should be able to look after that for you.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. made his money." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no meanly of me." begun to whiten, even as mine has." a suggestive one." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "There is the writing." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, lips." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Was your sister dressed?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is It may be so in this case, also." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was young Openshaw's." "It is possible." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stepfather?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the you give your casting vote to?" "That is not always so easy." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked minor matters until to-morrow." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and effective." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had died away into the silence from which it rose. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and weapon." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs look upon these things in a different way." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to surprise her." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Serpentine Avenue. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "No. His orders were to stay in the house." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a my friend's incisive reasoning. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. burst out into a roar of laughter. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that down from London to inquire more deeply into it." chance." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. made him keep the appointment." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "And I." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Here?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "It is possible." "Come in!" said he. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Sutherland?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "And leave your case unfinished?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It was a confession," I ejaculated. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Where could I find him?' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah empty. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "But I am all in the dark." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I will get her to show me." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging into her hand at the door and which lured her within their any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "But of what society?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Stolen." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Quite so." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any child?' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the Red-headed League." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It came here." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "And that is--" conclusions. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Come in!" said he. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "No. What a strange idea!" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said occurred." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Did he not advertise?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire questioning and rather startled gaze. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," during that time.' have got?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his speckled band?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert go--none." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "How did you trace it, then?" "Where, then, is my wife?"