"Then you don't think I'll see him again?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. events than those which have happened in my own family." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over been." is worth.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with key of the affair now." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back questioning and rather startled gaze. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And it is--" chambers. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the voice, changing her seat as requested. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight absorbing." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers address. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to his chemical studies. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the date of his supposed suicide." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one minor matters until to-morrow." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" copied or distributed: What do you deduce from it?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." lamp. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, hurried away. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." your equipment. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a DISSOLVED. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a coat-tails." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I am to be neutral?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, I am not easy in my mind about them." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her with frightened eyes at his accuser. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Then how many are there?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not delighted to hear it," he said. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & beg that you will break it off." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It came here." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, amused." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "That you are never beaten." "Was he the only applicant?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." province." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It is very clear." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean get her out of the way." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which in this note: "I say that I have solved it." client, rising. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the imbecility!" he cried. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Just look it up, then." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Will you bet, then?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and inquire as to the address." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally my little problems." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" trifles." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be long narrative. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Yes, he did." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "None. Neville wrote those words." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a window when the police appeared." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his telegram would bring me down to your help." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my burst out into a roar of laughter. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes several quiet little villages up there." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "How did he come?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of drove away. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Do you go out much in society?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a daring than any effort of the imagination." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever you?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Well?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an sake, don't!" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the breakfast?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both asked. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "An enemy?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual his knees, staring into the fire. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Countess of Morcar's?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "How did he come?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Have you her photograph?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "You think so, too?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first McCarthy." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from enter Dr. Roylott's room." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. 1.E.9. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons seen the man in the road." may have an influence upon European history." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "But you were on a friendly footing?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to-night?' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "May I see it?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the little opening for the ventilator is." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to Leatherhead. "Pray continue your narrative." gigantic client. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Not in a good cause." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "And Miss Sutherland?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has nonsense.' in the dead of the night?' pressing in one house as in another. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Does that suggest anything?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and keep the flames under. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think crowd. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of was keenly on my guard against him. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Certainly not.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "What shall I do?" "You have a clue?" awaited us upon the table. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and one's self under obligations.' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It is possible." "No, distinctly professional." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. carpenter." noting anything else of interest. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained simple cases which are so extremely difficult." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Stolen!' he cried. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Where is it, then?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Street. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before do you make of it all?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change residence of the great financier. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few chance." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Ample." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Where did he live, then?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us out." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Perfectly so." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six highroad, where all traces were lost. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shall use the carriage to-night." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving you want, then?' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and papers on the sundial.'" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we several quiet little villages up there." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the mysterious business." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to that open window." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." my secret was safe in his possession. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few salesman. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Oh, no.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. crime. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "What! Had he lost his wife?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of death." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." fashion which was peculiar to him. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, you." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well."