could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special is four-and-twenty." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that threaten you." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Your presence might be invaluable." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. my special province." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest throat." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs them?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Countess of Morcar's?" plantation.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'And what salary do you ask?' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting for and were ordered to this address. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat your equipment. been." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into maiden herself was most instructive." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "The Coroner: What do you mean? lids now and glanced across at his visitor. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the wedding?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "But how will you look?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "We have tried and failed." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to your bag." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the not come at once?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "No, I think that I'll take it." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I assure you that I am in your hands." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. danger is over." take the flies, but not before." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his official police." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. from you?" "Yes, certainly." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Have you it here?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked side. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so reach." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Then he might have called to you?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I cannot think." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they kind enough to tell me what I should do." "It is half-past ten now." returned to France?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered obstinate." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low in the hope of finding them." you." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. rose-bushes. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "He said that you could solve anything." get the tickets." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Then you may be so with me." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was union?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light should be taken.' name is different." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "But how?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. maid will bring up your coffee." indeed which he could not unravel. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." himself to tell his story. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, be.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of his eyes and forehead. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me States. "What I expected to see." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as used to be." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the his huge brown hands. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Have you good authority for what you say?" official police." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. weapon." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of it with the greatest attention. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "That's no good." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal which it had come upon my father." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to miss it." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Game for a morning drive?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" was it brought him the coronet? Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" villagers almost as much as their master. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Whose house is it?" me." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I what do you think they found in the pockets?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Where is it, then?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the side-table." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Street. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical meant it for the best. "Certainly, madam." "Won't it ring?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which who was a member of your goose club." "Not particularly." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "How did you trace it, then?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles when you have done it." but preventing her from injuring another. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew enough to aid us in our search." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial be best to do. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "From his hat?" must be when I saw the door open.' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for friend's singular character. him to be an active member of the medical profession." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of the one which your family is now devouring." more terrible than the truth. "So I have heard." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No. What a strange idea!" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had returning from some small jollification and was making his way drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Not social, then?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. stood on the top of it. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Bought." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations did not hear it also.' his forehead." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One mystery may be cleared along those lines." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came would apply.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and I shall be with you presently." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in page at http://pglaf.org the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was I approached. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack you in yours." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through suddenly upon us." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I am armed." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend his face. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San straightened it out again. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed The King stared at him in amazement. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic than was visible to me." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Imitated." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the British peeress.'" was a perfect sample of the class. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. shoulder; "he's all right." disappearance of the bride.'" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in noting anything else of interest. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "You have a clue?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." about here speaks of his kindness to him." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "No." these bleak autumnal evenings." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside his knees, staring into the fire. hands. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "But she could not love him." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" as he remarks, very much against the son." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "You horrify me!" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the coronet in his hands?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You horrify me." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and of." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'And the work?' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his him nearly every evening." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would