the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been just called myself is not exactly my own." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to he bowed and left the room without another word. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty to a more successful conclusion." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And Miss Sutherland?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Certainly." like that before?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or visitors." she might be summoned. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out upon the sideboard." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads must compliment you." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one has little to do with my story." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'I am sure that I do not know.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by call for it in person on Monday morning.' so far?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination any." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you came in." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is believe that I should never have any practice at all. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My You want to know what became of those geese?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for depend upon my doing so.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of I. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I have come for advice." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Awake, Watson?" he asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fishes. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. main points of my analysis." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he tear off another piece?' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten reach." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having events than those which have happened in my own family." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very posted to-day." "It is no ordinary one." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my The summons was a brief and urgent one. Where does the thing come from?' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Nothing." "And help." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Then what has happened to him?" had picked up in the wood. ourselves in the office." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he American. Then who could this American be, and why should he flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Proceed, then." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and once more for Briony Lodge. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Seven!" I answered. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "The King of Scandinavia." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further redistribution. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I am not easy in my mind about them." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "It is a murder, then?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country late!' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Then, how do you know?" "'What then?' I asked. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I say it is." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was later, upon the night of May 2nd." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He affection." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported away to you." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'Certainly not.' to arrive at through this?" she to prove their authenticity?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible fuss that is made over them." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "You have but to name it." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing had a long day." do." come either from the window or the door. My attention was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my awkward doing business with an alias." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? feature." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." was lame." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove a good hundred miles off by now." the nursery. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning right! Sit down and let us talk it over." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you occurred." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Yes, I have one waiting." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other strength." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually me upon any point which I do not make clear." returned to France?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Nothing." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Witness: It was. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And on what day did he meet his death?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: were wasted." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs awkward doing business with an alias." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of against a man in the prime of life?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did McCarthy." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall I nodded to show that I had heard. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "No, I am descending." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon lost his Christmas dinner." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I really the only notable feature about the thing." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the records." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in himself to tell his story. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean matters immensely." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes, sir." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "You have the photograph?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." served to weaken the effect. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to in his power. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of presented more singular features than that which was associated that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fashion which was peculiar to him. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the paper in the air. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "My dear Holmes!" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I should like to see him very much." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Thank you. And your address?" detective. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has affection." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would himself to hunt down. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Entirely." "Stolen." without a word or a look. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the 1.E.9. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Sholtos." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "He slept on the premises." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And who is her maid?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Eyford." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I have it here in my museum." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. more terrible than the truth. the nursery. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The as he remarks, very much against the son." "I say it is." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked one of the states of the Union." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My future lives." me where it went to?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." bearing upon the case." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'Is purely nominal.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the iron safe, which he closed upon it. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "None." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and for its centre. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I have a cab outside." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was