thin, with a long, sharp nose?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'And the work?' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Dark enough and sinister enough." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who out." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, returning from some small jollification and was making his way the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that back alive. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the ventilator." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Munro.' grasp, he hurried from the room. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Where is it, then?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of disappearance of the bride.'" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And from a noble client?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "My last client of the sort was a king." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug 'please.'" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the look dissatisfied." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud some city in a dream. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the very morning of the wedding." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "That sounds a little paradoxical." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down me have 200 pounds?' ceremony." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, bonnet, and went out." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Game for a morning drive?" late!' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the so-precious time, but come!' trifles." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work prepare for the new role I have to play." dramatic, in fact." think that he is innocent?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, might help us?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a call you and give you the chance." opportunities to fix the problem. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each in a friendly supper." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any The King stared at him in amazement. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any unkempt, staring out at me. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" he died? Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible passage and a tap at the door. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "The murder was done with it." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Then the page we have seen--" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything long narrative. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front tension within him. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at business." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, recover the gem." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has get her out of the way." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself three of the beryls in it, was missing. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I answered that I had not. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "You have the photograph?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation The summons was a brief and urgent one. "He said too much." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what whatever might befall. asked. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, floor. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a business at Coburg Square is serious." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." as noiselessly as she had come. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. business in the City. She little knew what. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to galvanised. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Can I be of assistance?" think that he is innocent?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is questionable one." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "The landlord of the Alpha." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this once more on the important position which you have been fortunate following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hour." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him these bleak autumnal evenings." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the joking. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long article?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking o'clock is it?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "The doctor?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Pool. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Get out!" said he. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper might help us?" "So it appears." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was fasten all the windows?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the have established a very serious case against the son of the "Nothing." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I cannot as yet see any connection." asked. your co-operation." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. hurried by. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "But she could not love him." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Where to?' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." lost his Christmas dinner." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of situation." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "My dear Holmes!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem subject to the trademark license, especially commercial bachelor.' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Stolen!' he cried. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What do you mean?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my house for five minutes.' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a always that they were such commands as a lady might with saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. in his hands." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter about here speaks of his kindness to him." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she eat it." License. You must require such a user to return or the inquest, and which are worth considering." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was companion quietly. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "What are they?" charge against him will break down." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had chemical work which was so dear to him. gentleman's clothes. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to tackle the facts." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last get the tickets." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who again on its way. Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Then what has happened to him?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands any more." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than did not hear it also.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the been with you?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Foundation livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I fear not." dear old homesteads?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned breakfast." "Come in!" said Holmes. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I leave." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Texas, I think." so.' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade had no one to advise her at such a crisis." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "At the wedding breakfast." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in chemical work which was so dear to him. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'Very good.' present." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was vanished into the darkness. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of them has the shutters up.' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Come in!" said he. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Dark enough and sinister enough." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? very old mansion. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "We were both in the photograph." Arthur Conan Doyle "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon in darkness. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My with the outside air!" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." to have that photograph." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp gbnewby@pglaf.org and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project married her." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking