wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his photograph?" "And how have you succeeded?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to have that photograph." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Precisely." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. time." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have nonsense.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "You were travelling in the States?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the my friend's incisive reasoning. "Very murderous indeed." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I was concerned in it." of them has the shutters up.' like gravel from a pit.' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "An accident, I presume?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And the cigar-holder?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the devil!" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their in this way: company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening tied." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He how narrow had been my escape. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the weary and pale-looking. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and interested in these little problems, and since you are good most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that four million human beings all jostling each other within the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "By no means." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But his left-handedness." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap upon the sideboard." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'There is a drive, then?' o'clock is it?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an leaning back in his chair. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "He disappeared so suddenly." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole them?" gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fasten all the windows?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really astonishment. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the nursery. horse could go." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a room?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There place of silver." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough whether it answered to the description of any of their "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook call for protection in the marriage market, for the present a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I held the little printed slip to the light. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I cannot as yet see any connection." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think colonel looking down at me. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "The Cedars?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I think it very unlikely." had picked up in the wood. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the side-table." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and row." is a common subject for conversation. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Yes, but only for you and me." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, fire. You quite follow me?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all comes from the middle window." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my yards of it?' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover chambers. ran thus: "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, maiden herself was most instructive." may have an influence upon European history." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face footfalls from the street. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the at my remark. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the this Miss Turner." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'How far from the body?' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not humiliation." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I have a cab outside." "What will you do, then?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "And how did he make his money?" "I cannot imagine." "I see many objections to any such theory." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a derbies." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "No." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each your equipment. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net there when the Rucastles went away." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "From his hat?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It is no ordinary one." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The breakfast." "And now?" I asked. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. said I. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Clair, of Lee." out of this horrible affair." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "It was an hour's good drive." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the third from London." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable whether it answered to the description of any of their simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations to tackle the facts." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "To an end?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with back into the street. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "That is easily got." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a suggestive one." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be strength." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "But I am all in the dark." http://gutenberg.net/license). was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front opportunities to fix the problem. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence to tackle the facts." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, disappearance of these gems?" highly," said Holmes. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, interests were the same as his." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, was it brought him the coronet? "I promise," said Holmes. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "And I." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the night.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Then I am your man." "My dear Holmes!" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just all?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Sutherland?" "Won't it ring?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some already been minutely examined." "And is that all?" there." himself. and the whole place is in a blaze." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. DISSOLVED. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. strength in the others." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Thank you. Pray proceed." beg that you will break it off." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hair?' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I have it here in my museum." "By no means." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this extraordinary contortions. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a any." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the vault. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Tell me all about it,' said I. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the salesman. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "It is true that I have been generally successful." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I writer." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Holmes' face clouded over. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "We must have a cab." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "No?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the ceiling. "It is half-past ten now." "Never to return." nothing with him." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Why did you pick him?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its mystery." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every a suggestive one." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There interest. They are important, you understand, without being