a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin brandy and water within his reach. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Watson," he said cordially. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "In the cells." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Precisely." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. it." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is very clear." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet used to be." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same read over the extraordinary announcement. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Bought." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly London for the present?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed new acquaintance to Baker Street. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'What, the red-headed man?' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "My dear Holmes!" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. said I. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "We must sit without light. He would see it through the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" very old mansion. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "No, finished." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "In heaven's name, what for?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." empty. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It outside. "'Yes, it was gone.' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "What then?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Yes." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. get her out of the way." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Miss Holder?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come most important business. It is probable that he will be away all tear off another piece?' "'In my own bureau.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Precisely." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his that, and I came down." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said his face. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "And I to find an enemy." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Certainly." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "A call for help, you thought?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes' face clouded over. constraint." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone spare." "Oh, yes, easily." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Stolen." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to official police." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud flock.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my directly by questioning you." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You did not overhear what they said?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to-night." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Where to?' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, once more. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yes." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to change my dress. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but village inn over there?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." way: sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I window when the police appeared." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Ah!" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Yes, sir." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is down. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Not him." "A call for help, you thought?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Then, how do you know?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "But how?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless dear old homesteads?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Where, indeed?" once more to my work. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady there were so many in the whole country as were brought together look dissatisfied." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. fear." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It eat it." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the child?' "But the mystery?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Never to return." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "How did that help you?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "And you thought he was pulled back?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he get her out of the way." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic excitement. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had thin, with a long, sharp nose?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the had formerly been in part my own. that you saw all that I did." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will him. might have a private word with us. "Did you observe the colour?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the child." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Where did he live, then?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as your room." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in heavy and sharp instrument." six. Come in!" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored you for a few hours?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Then, as to money?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the questionable one." soul! here is her carriage at the door." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the tragedy. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the was a perfect sample of the class. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "How often?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the for securing the situation." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right my little problems." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some obstinate." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss following enigmatical notices: British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the them, and came down just as you departed. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Stolen, then." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Where, then, is my wife?" as the one I chose?' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to roused himself from his reverie. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I cannot tell." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to more terrible than the truth. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You saw the ventilator, too?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Not in the least." of it with the greatest attention. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable over here." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a yards of it?' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Holmes' room. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that there was nothing in it, after all." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "No. What a strange idea!" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Have you it here?" from the brougham. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple shall use the carriage to-night." to miss it." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'I have already given you my word.' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Clair, of Lee." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "He said too much." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Arthur Conan Doyle not fit the lock." "But the mystery?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Where, indeed?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the me what he had done with the three missing stones. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "But you would not advise me to refuse?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Will you go?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "No." Gutenberg-tm License. leaning back in his chair. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to retorted upon me, and I on you." to that open window." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus so far?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike business?" observed. whatever might befall. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to tell." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in nothing with him." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I say that I have solved it." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "A confidential servant?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "What office?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them written. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I am sure." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was