on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers electronic works headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since public press." assist you in forming an opinion." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Was he the only applicant?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Frequently." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You have but to name it." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange said Mr. Holder. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I don't say that. Perhaps." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I am sure." "Your French gold?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. annoyance, but no jest. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and no precautions can guard against." behind me. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." second window is the one that I jumped from." woman." "He might." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the six. Come in!" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "My photograph." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the he bowed and left the room without another word. do you make of it all?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and a shock of very red hair. Holmes' room. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was where she found matters as described by the last witness. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the child." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Stolen!' he cried. "I don't believe it." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my people in all walks of life. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all a good hundred miles off by now." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the politicians who had been sent down from the North. investigation." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and chance." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Did he not advertise?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to tackle the facts." "Was the window open?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like strong reason behind." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "You did not overhear what they said?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Pray do so." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; and it need not interfere very much with one's other grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I say it is." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we examination of the premises, but without finding anything which The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope walking." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what 11:15.' was feeling which was the fattest.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open strong reason behind." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions place, I think that there is good ground to think that the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to-night." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "You have carte blanche." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time entirely devoid of interest." pressing in one house as in another. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." it." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all 1.E.9. "You know me, then?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point of Mr. Rucastle's." "By no means." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and the whole place is in a blaze." know what is wrong with it.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may to surprise her." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I am all attention, madam." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And now?" He raised his hand. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "By no means." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. my special province." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "But who is he?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. salesman. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George derbies." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and that he would see to anything that turned up. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for himself. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from beg that you will break it off." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. yet." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Not I." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." make me his representative both with the servants and with the manager. the inquest, and which are worth considering." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord it." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know we went to search for him, face downward in a little uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' murdered man." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had new acquaintance to Baker Street. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you you came in." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. delirious. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "What!" he roared. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'About the same.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'And the work?' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, empty. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet fishes. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Your sister is dead, then?" Street. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, gone before you can get him to hospital." the window, rose as we entered. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "She walked into the breakfast-room." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "But we can't all be." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle I leave." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Yes, he did." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just redistribution. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I was mad--insane." you." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the loss of it. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Won't it ring?" his face. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our again on its way. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "How are you getting on?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Will you go?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the wedding?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "No good news?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his despaired of." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Holmes. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round round with crates and massive boxes. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Can I be of assistance?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes name is different." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I really the only notable feature about the thing." "My dear Holmes!" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that threaten you." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets even of instruction." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "We must sit without light. He would see it through the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Texas, I think." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "None." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of confronted him. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to-night." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Surrey." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing opened a pocket-book and took out a note. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a became a certainty. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was least a most suspicious remark." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not said he, "my real name is James Ryder." purpose equally well?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Chief Executive and Director I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Ample." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "We must have a cab." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Holmes, the busybody!" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting brain must have something in it." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who man. I know him from the photograph." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Yes. He waved his hands." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "And leave your case unfinished?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Here?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. appointment with me for six o'clock?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a ventilator." "This photograph!" intrusion of other matters." "Then I do not see the point." "'I am sure if I had known--' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered