"'In my own bureau.' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it straighten it?" Holmes rather sternly. sake, don't!" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Oh, yes, easily." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest name is different." and no precautions can guard against." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She should be so warm over such a trifle." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Your presence might be invaluable." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Where, then?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he opportunities to fix the problem. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the three fields round his house, and there he would take his such person." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. answer." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to talk it over. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. What do you deduce from it?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such The events in question occurred in the early days of my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Holmes, the busybody!" "The King of Scandinavia." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "But you were on a friendly footing?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted someone who had been in Australia." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "So I have heard." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' detective. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 some city in a dream. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the night.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Then, as to money?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in important." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week furiously. in his hands." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found disappearance of the bride.'" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its galvanised. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety golden eyeglasses. yourselves in at night?" putting in the horse. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a morning." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that threaten you." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "And from a noble client?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and put his glass in his pocket. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "What!" he roared. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Why, what do you mean?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel money should be paid at once.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Imitated." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "My own seal." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and there when the Rucastles went away." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement tied." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It is possible." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the sake, don't!" your room." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, to tell." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "And Irene Adler?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to his chemical studies. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a 1.F. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Well?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into lamp. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing what these perils are?" "No." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Certainly, madam." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "And that is--" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "My own seal." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his in the port of London." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two seen the man in the road." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "10th. John Swain cleared. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his she might be summoned. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "No more words. Get out!" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." if I call to-morrow?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle residence of the great financier. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted better grown goose." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the tragedy. "I cannot say that I have." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "None." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Yes, he did." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." good for you to do.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Nothing?" new duties?' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right written. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "And you don't know his address?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" for securing the situation." "Yes. He waved his hands." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing where Mr. Fordham shows you.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if business at Coburg Square is serious." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes, certainly." "What will you say?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport one's self under obligations.' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent sentimental considerations in the background which would induce result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting vanished into the darkness. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my whereabouts. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "On the contrary, this is the right side." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a residence of the great financier. undoubtedly my uncle's." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Not in a good cause." Farm upon the left." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the States. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that voice, changing her seat as requested. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my writing, and yet I know it well." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Yes." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if like gravel from a pit.' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out spare." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a detective. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I would give my fortune to have them back." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Yes, from Horsham." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which business matters.' which it had come upon my father." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "My private note-paper." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I shall most certainly do so." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know views." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are leave you to your papers for a little." "Game for a morning drive?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa obstinate." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; down. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'Most admirably.' coat-tails." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I am still in the dark." was feeling which was the fattest.' "'I have heard so.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "How do you know, then?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What II. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." yet." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I think that I had better go, Holmes." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Will you go?" second window is the one that I jumped from." tapping his fingers upon the table. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we she used." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. matter." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the warnings." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent plantation.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, from Horsham." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "On the contrary, this is the right side." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must