jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this client, rising. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found girl said." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers we went to search for him, face downward in a little the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are night.' said he. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Yes, I promise.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell dear old homesteads?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. hand, madam?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "No, I had a dozen." fuss that is made over them." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, stepfather?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold ourselves in the office." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Holmes, the busybody!" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "The best possible." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, if I call to-morrow?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the in. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Project Gutenberg-tm works. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever gone. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what mystery!" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the coronet in his hand?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to miss it." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "My dear Holmes!" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Yes?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "At the wedding breakfast." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope something of him before." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. upon the sideboard." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong whole matter to your consideration." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I see no marks." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he highroad, where all traces were lost. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "That you are never beaten." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I have seen the police." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was leave you to your papers for a little." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that papers diligently of late, have you not?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "About a month then." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "But his left-handedness." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings she might be summoned. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "You think so, too?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from burst into a hearty fit of laughter. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. disturbance in my wife." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would directly by questioning you." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Entirely." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the nursery. rooms." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which crime." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever husband's writing, madam." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to tackle the facts." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I shall continue with my miserable story. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must plantation.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a disappearance of the bride.'" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "But who is he?" me. You must get home instantly and act." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and chemical work which was so dear to him. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I think it very unlikely." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I have come for advice." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." waste of energy." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Quite so." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, rat could hardly pass through." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." said he. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from heavily into it. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll been lifted and conveyed somewhere." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Married! When?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the pierced for earrings?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you narrative." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, come either from the window or the door. My attention was impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little tail." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this woman." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is mystery." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of I held the little printed slip to the light. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "In heaven's name, what for?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly legal crime." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I instincts rose up against that laugh. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just gives a meaning to it." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Yes." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Well, but China?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, indeed happy." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Entirely." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I have hopes." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp she to prove their authenticity?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which your bag." "No good news?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Yes." in the dead of the night?' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'You cannot say what it was?' "And that is--" Street. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "That sounds a little paradoxical." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven only touch the interest." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I should wish to." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Yesterday." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your notes," he said. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Countess of Morcar's?" my little problems." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I cannot imagine." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" disappearance of the bride.'" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes your sleep?' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." shoulder; "he's all right." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Here?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "One?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you for a few hours?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the room while you explain this matter?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Nearly eleven." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as that you wished to speak to me?' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of a light. the stones. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread there has been an enclosure here!" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been interested in these little problems, and since you are good During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his was already answered. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Dirty?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and dear old homesteads?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. chamber." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I think that I had better go, Holmes." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "None." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever.