"'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'And what are they worth?' I asked. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'Ample.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less opportunities to fix the problem. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been man. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her next day. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to empty. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a gone before you can get him to hospital." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better went to the Alpha were town bred." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Leadenhall Street--and--" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again point in the dark hollow of his hand. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in so far?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, ready to-morrow?' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I your only hope of safety." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the house with me." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in him." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to any." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the formed some opinion?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of his fortune, and I went back to pa. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow bird of prey. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "But she will refuse." morning." been with you?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "He slept on the premises." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and respectable self." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Never." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "So I have heard." rat could hardly pass through." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "One of his hands." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "That is it on the dressing-table." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, past. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a plantation.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he morning." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has read it out to me." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in him and tried to hold him back. head. So long, then!" "But he might be a bachelor." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the signal between you and your father? "I am all attention, madam." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Just look it up, then." feature." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wanted for ourselves." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Perfectly so." delirious. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in this note: peculiar to him. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you in darkness. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I will not look." following enigmatical notices: brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Nearly eleven." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hardly wander." as he remarks, very much against the son." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly house for five minutes.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had sound at heart." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Project Gutenberg-tm works. served to weaken the effect. green of the new foliage. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "It certainly sounds feasible." husband's writing, madam." "Will you bet, then?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You will not go there first?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. exactly what you advise." business." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. of the way of danger. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It missed him, then?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You envelope. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "And it is--" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The summons was a brief and urgent one. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I was afraid that you were engaged." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, copied or distributed: hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found or other trace. But how on earth--" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Certainly, madam." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. coroner's jury." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light shall not find me ungrateful." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have room had already been engaged for us. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "But what will you do?" "So I heard. You have him here?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "In San Francisco, a year ago." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a back alive. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I promise," said Holmes. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" room had already been engaged for us. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and discontent upon his features. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Oh, no.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this your Highness to the police-station?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could me where it went to?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Entirely." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with all that?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be way in everything. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Quite so. She has her freedom." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. before the coroner and the police-court." "BALLARAT." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and the whole place is in a blaze." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the client, rising. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I am all attention, madam." matter over." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "At the wedding breakfast." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "No, my brougham is waiting." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. papers." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. her also." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same roused himself from his reverie. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to a more successful conclusion." "At the wedding breakfast." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Get out!" said he. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, lamp in his hand. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; legal crime." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Who by?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I shall most certainly do so." to tackle the facts." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have an American origin." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm because she had spent so short a time in this country that she he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Come in!" said Holmes. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm again." throat." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, he did." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the joking. "Breckinridge is his name." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been What do you deduce from it?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I returning from some small jollification and was making his way at home. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the dangers which encompass me." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, towards the blaze. "And you can do nothing until then?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "What are they?" "But what will you do?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both here and I will read it to you: journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always it with his own hands." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a criminal. We have already had experience of such." his eyes and forehead. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage a suggestive one." to miss it." own family. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great like that before?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the room while you explain this matter?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "To an end?" "Yes, all." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Ten will be early enough." instincts rose up against that laugh. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'Very good.' wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it see me here to avoid scandal." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we might have a private word with us. "'Quite sure, dad.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all room had already been engaged for us. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." learned something! Where are the gems?" "Married! When?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a sound at heart." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. crowd. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we