"Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you morning." society." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside constraint." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian success. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian did not hear it also.' morning." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It is possible." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "My dear Holmes!" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Ten to two.' "I cannot imagine." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to photograph a cabinet?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. presume?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Miss Holder?" some water from a caraffe. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources think you a quite exceptional woman." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Frequently." grasp, he hurried from the room. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "You horrify me!" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "That is it on the dressing-table." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by You want to know what became of those geese?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to which was all perfectly true. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Two days later this same performance was gone through under village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the you?' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Murdered?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the do.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the could go. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Sutherland. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come persecution?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" unprofitable." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you colonel looking down at me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to public press." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban gone before you can get him to hospital." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I never have." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Yes, the wine-cellar." seven miles from Eyford Station.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "He said too much." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see despair." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Here?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Holmes' room. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my brandy and water within his reach. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "What?" weary and pale-looking. hopeless attempt at recovering them." telegram would bring me down to your help." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. for securing the situation." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Certainly." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The gentleman I describe." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. there!' "Then how many are there?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to take the flies, but not before." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was was already answered. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the peculiar to him. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard if she died from some sudden fright." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You forget that I know nothing about it." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Who was the criminal, then?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this I shall continue with my miserable story. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'Entirely.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Texas, I think." that, and I came down." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" attention." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace paper in the air. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "No, distinctly professional." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "What then?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "My dear Holmes!" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he cigars in their mouths. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "It must be recovered." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two amused." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "He disappeared so suddenly." dates and names. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." obstinate." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's bird of prey. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to go into your room and bar your shutters?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. lamp in his hand. then?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "And I say east," said my patient. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Where, then, is my wife?" other means.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. gentleman's clothes. know what is wrong with it.' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money with you?" "Won't it ring?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and any more." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was true." Sutherland. "And that is--" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of them has the shutters up.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to wedding?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Serpentine Avenue. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, felt the room to be a little close.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. once more for Briony Lodge. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "What then?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and your relations to her." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing in this way: eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "He is still with you, I presume?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Was the window open?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a done what I asked you, Jones?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what touch that coronet?' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted this truth that in these little records of our cases which you fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And why?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "And why in hopes?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Holmes' room. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing yards of it?' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, rooms." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the plantation.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding neither fascinating nor artistic." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and nice household for a young lady." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "None." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of in a friendly supper." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile colour had been driven from his face. words came to my lips. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And how did he make his money?" "It was an hour's good drive." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sneer upon his pale face. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." them?" late!' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "No." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I DISSOLVED. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I was certainly surprised to find you there." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See villagers almost as much as their master. evidence," I remarked. to a light-house. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I held the little printed slip to the light. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And why in hopes?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of them has the shutters up.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I never have." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment.