in a very precise fashion." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. several quiet little villages up there." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with since then to throw any light upon what became of him." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "About a month then." in the hope of finding them." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "What! a murderous attack?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no security.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up careless servant girl?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a night.' said he. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the your most interesting statement." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "It is a murder, then?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other all that?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no States. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, beyond words. compunction about shooting them down." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the shoulder; "he's all right." his cane at the bell-pull. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this business at Coburg Square is serious." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Certainly." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are to have been novel and of interest." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Then I can wait in the next room." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the running down." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I cannot imagine." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Yes." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady singular points about the case. What did the police think of the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely never to learn it at all." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "From his hat?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a that "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that desk. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing get the tickets." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Always." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of even of instruction." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the very morning of the wedding." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts residence of the great financier. such attractions and accomplishments?' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled from the brougham. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And your mother is alive?" "And your mother is alive?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son said he. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few during the last few years, and there are many noble families to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to his chemical studies. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in call for it in person on Monday morning.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Then, as to money?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "By train from Waterloo." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No sign of it?" "Never." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "To ruin me." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. when your master had gone out." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, upon the white wrist. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley which our visitor detailed to us. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an system of imprisonment?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a there when the Rucastles went away." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "You think so, too?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "The murder was done with it." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Proceed, then." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." bears upon the case?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its to that open window." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you in the hope of finding them." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle some terrible trap for her." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "To an end?" was used.' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "In which, sir?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "A call for help, you thought?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went became a certainty. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A way in." someone who had been in Australia." directors, with the result that you have seen." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I am still in the dark." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was yet." "Certainly, madam." to talk it over. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which simple cases which are so extremely difficult." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite impression behind it as though a window had gently closed could go. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and a shock of very red hair. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to tackle the facts." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Ha! you find it so?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a plantation.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Game for a morning drive?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and leaning back in his chair. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, was used.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall upon the white wrist. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I cannot as yet see any connection." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in you understand?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and it means?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe not as remarkable as your advertisement." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." up this clue while it is still hot." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Surrey." which was all perfectly true. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the date of his supposed suicide." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such recover the gem." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "The vanishing of the lady." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of shaken than I had ever seen him. see me here to avoid scandal." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Where is it, then?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I should wish to." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yes?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our jewels which you have stolen?' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at done what I asked you, Jones?" newspaper selections." "Her father is very rich?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of what these perils are?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his should be so warm over such a trifle." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'And the work?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. held up the lantern and gazed about him. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a conduct the inquiry." "This photograph!" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and What do you deduce from it?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is such attractions and accomplishments?' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Holmes." "'I am sure that I do not know.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Eyford at 11:15.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which said Mr. Holder. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the tragedy. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built you." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them gone. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached assist you in forming an opinion." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Why? What do you mean?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Could he throw no light?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very imbecility!" he cried. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to who was a member of your goose club." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Is he quiet?" during that time.' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it cup of tea. you came in." you give your casting vote to?" "Yes." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "You have a clue?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but