has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "How did you deduce the select?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Perfectly so." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to strength of mind to control. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy fashion which was peculiar to him. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round other means.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my about here speaks of his kindness to him." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "A greater distance to travel." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the records." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is down from London to inquire more deeply into it." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I guessed as much." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the third from London." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "That sounds a little paradoxical." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two lips." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of ordinary clothes on?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more opportunities to fix the problem. companion quietly. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Not yet." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he matter." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I see many objections to any such theory." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, page at http://pglaf.org really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes, but only for you and me." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the eat it." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each one which it was hard to resist. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling http://www.gutenberg.net "The best possible." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I spare." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he said Mr. Holder. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet fuss that is made over them." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was one of them." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the so-precious time, but come!' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "No. What a strange idea!" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the other lovers by making love himself." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to experiences." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Absolutely?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "And the cigar-holder?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over passage and a tap at the door. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such there were so many in the whole country as were brought together have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended six. Come in!" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ London for the present?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet companion. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and writer." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had at once, for I have only half an hour." people don't know." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Mrs. Toller serenely. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of a light. "That was it, sir." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the me. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is secret." "Pray let us have it, for all that." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little rooms." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "No good news?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Yes, it would be as well." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and have got?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do me, and I could not think that his explanation of the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and where we are going." "Not yet." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It may not come to that," said Holmes. father's place of business?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "And how did you find out?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Really! You surprise me." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'I have heard so.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Again Holmes raved in the air. "Murdered?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' comes from the middle window." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Not particularly." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Entirely." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step know what is wrong with it.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the south-west, I see." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic desk. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Won't it ring?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. three of the beryls in it, was missing. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the populous neighbourhood." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Then I am your man." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw their singular warning or token before them when starting upon if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" carried out of court." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'How far from the body?' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." so far?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. woman." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! quite distinctive." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open soul! here is her carriage at the door." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge throat." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed during that time.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me had picked up in the wood. "A call for help, you thought?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "What! a murderous attack?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'And what salary do you ask?' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, papers must be those that are destroyed.' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." stammered. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. morning." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of the way of danger. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended chambers. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but letters?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in tapping his fingers upon the table. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign floor. indeed which he could not unravel. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'Is purely nominal.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so one's self under obligations.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" about. distinguish the words: that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "No." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the your billet.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Yes, at the mines." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You will not go there first?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. lectures into a series of tales." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "The best possible." the coroner come to?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that there in twenty minutes." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'In my own bureau.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from absolutely follow my advice in every respect." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a best detective that ever lived. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "One of his hands." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about any more." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." figure." beyond words. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of the one which your family is now devouring." stepfather?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding as noiselessly as she had come. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and awkward doing business with an alias." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly client, rising. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. your equipment. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and