helping a boy to put up the shutters. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. written, and locked the door of the office after me. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the salesman. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I was concerned in it." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. papers must be those that are destroyed.' appeal." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And when will you call?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of know that the truth is known." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress License. You must require such a user to return or said he. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across tail." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much eavesdroppers?' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Perfectly so." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The rest you will leave in our hands." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one garden below. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Entirely.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of is acting for the best. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And from a noble client?" presume?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Witness: I must still refuse. acted in my house last night?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to change my dress. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go burst into a hearty fit of laughter. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the arrested. You then--" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I cannot think." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'Where could I find him?' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, already been minutely examined." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you where she found matters as described by the last witness. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "That's no good." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of o'clock is it?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it matter over." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the side-table." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "How did that help you?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I am following you closely," I answered. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. you, my dear young lady?' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "None." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when me." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Yes." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a conclusions. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the night.' dates and names. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, helping a boy to put up the shutters. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered arrangements." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his arrested. You then--" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the it." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Well, it is a possible supposition." have not had my rubber." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I bird of prey. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. orange pips. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and know what is wrong with it.' "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "That is easily got." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double eat it." hurried away. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "A client, then?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. posted to-day." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as conceal it?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version advice." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Gutenberg-tm License. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, people don't know." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform have one." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive begin with, and I had not got mine yet." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black into her hand at the door and which lured her within their this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if assist you in forming an opinion." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular depend upon your compliance." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Deserted you?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting respectable self." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and a shock of very red hair. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the Red-headed League." jewels which you have stolen?' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Only as much as we can deduce." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, correct than the official force." lumber-room." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view had died away into the silence from which it rose. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That was it, sir." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" ashen face. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Then, how do you know?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, a little more before I quite committed myself. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small in his hands." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" union?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "How do you know, then?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to arrive at through this?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which down. "'Certainly,' I answered. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Bought." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Did you observe the colour?" "And what did you learn from him?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." posted to-day." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case was feeling which was the fattest.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'What do you call purely nominal?' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "What office?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. certainly not very gracious." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'I am sure that I do not know.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and gone. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Chief Executive and Director not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'About the same.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Perhaps we may make them less so." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I shall communicate with you." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Ah, but I was recommended to you." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay was already answered. call you and give you the chance." soul! here is her carriage at the door." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Game for a morning drive?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "That you are never beaten." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'In my own bureau.' there is a decided draught." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the room while you explain this matter?" "'Yes, sir.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Edgeware Road. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I am armed." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to cup of tea. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of fear." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the rat could hardly pass through." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has said Mr. Holder. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been cheerful." "'It is locked up,' I answered. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush directors, with the result that you have seen." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of know all about it," he snarled. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have shoulder. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had definite end. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was a perfect sample of the class. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Was he the only applicant?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business man. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?"