room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," tell them apart.' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Cross for the Continent." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. carried out of court." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the amused." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. stammered. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business walking." "It came here." "And the murderer?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. do." quick march!" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read beyond words. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best suddenly upon us." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You have compromised yourself seriously." IS "Do you know him?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you danger is over." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson again on its way. the salesman. were unconscious?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the house with me." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "None." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "But he might be a bachelor." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Certainly." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "But his lameness?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than late!' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'What then?' I asked. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close think that he is innocent?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'And the work?' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Yes." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature stalked out of the room. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could attention." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "And Irene Adler?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Yes, sir.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "It is very kind of you." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman shaken than I had ever seen him. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, less than 26s. 4d. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "By no means." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! thin, with a long, sharp nose?" clang of the bell. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I say that I have solved it." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to a suggestive one." "And how did you verify them?" rose-bushes. "Have you it here?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "VIOLET HUNTER." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And your mother is alive?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "No legal papers or certificates?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us where we are going." "What have you to say now?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a only touch the interest." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you new duties?' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "You forget that I know nothing about it." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which page at http://pglaf.org "Then how many are there?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to as he remarks, very much against the son." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you to some other building. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed never to learn it at all." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to dramatic, in fact." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he see a sister of mine apply for." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" floor. with her." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the ran thus: Street. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the manager. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Eyford." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property papers." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the better in every way that they should make their position a little "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought gives a meaning to it." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Watson," he said cordially. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "What! a murderous attack?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I girl said." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Yes, that is the Crown." "It was." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Holmes. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from indeed which he could not unravel. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And how did he make his money?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," walking." "Is he quiet?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I have come for advice." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And why in hopes?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are cheerful." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "About a month then." indeed happy." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours young Openshaw's." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of maiden herself was most instructive." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it when you have done it." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that were new raised from a basin. brain must have something in it." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never least a most suspicious remark." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I have my revolver," said I. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "That is it on the dressing-table." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this prison!" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own assist you in forming an opinion." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do strength." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to felt the room to be a little close.' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" coat-tails." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in the dead of the night?' what I may call a really hard day's work." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Yes, I promise.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That into the room. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the iron safe, which he closed upon it. against a man in the prime of life?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." meant." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own lamp. whether it answered to the description of any of their Holmes rather sternly. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Yes." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and done what I asked you, Jones?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, DISSOLVED. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Quite so." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he might help us?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "She will not sell." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I cannot tell." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Did you observe the colour?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. returned to France?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Have you her photograph?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I was mad--insane." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in public press." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You heard nothing yourself last night?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Dr. Becher's." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Watson," he said cordially. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'It is locked up,' I answered. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen astonishment. to-night?" I asked. way: empty. "The landlord of the Alpha." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to surprise her." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture that?' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a tapping his fingers upon the table. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." will be renamed. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "My dear Holmes!" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Dr. Becher's." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed