of the efforts of the United States government and of the better was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "None." she might be summoned. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you is four-and-twenty." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely visitors." them?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well narrative." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And from a noble client?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have highly," said Holmes. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California them, and came down just as you departed. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the loss of it. hardly wander." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the best of training." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the approach us with offers to donate. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. with the outside air!" "'As governess?' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." for securing the situation." point in the dark hollow of his hand. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these pressing in one house as in another. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Yes, sir." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "My opinion is in no way altered." footfalls from the street. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I have come for advice." you came in." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in she to prove their authenticity?" strong and stiff." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "She showed me, as I told you she would." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Where did you address your letters, then?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, will not take me long to tell. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window little trying to do so much typewriting?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And what did you learn from him?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'What, the red-headed man?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag beyond words. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes." the matter?" "In answer to an advertisement." "What can it mean?" I gasped. footfalls from the street. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a some city in a dream. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face mystery may be cleared along those lines." sofa. This way, please!" at a side door. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I answered with a sidelong glance. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'There is a drive, then?' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the colonel looking down at me. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Yes, sir." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' unprecedented a position." the coronet in his hands?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Yes." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our seen the man in the road." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder The police have openly confessed that they can at present make a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'How far from the body?' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white upon the shelf for the interim." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "A client, then?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fishes. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in business?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I cannot as yet see any connection." astonishment. him!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I say that I have solved it." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else kind enough to tell me what I should do." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. which we had just quitted. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been house for five minutes.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what hour." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most six. Come in!" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the coronet in his hands?" instituted." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "No, my brougham is waiting." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Your sister is dead, then?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from been shamefully used." quite distinctive." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Look there!" said he. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been nights." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty place no limit on the sum I may draw." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the coronet at all injured?" them?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Stolen, then." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is served to weaken the effect. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole allusion to a rat. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for rooms." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What will you say?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the bottom.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both true." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." weighed down with some great anxiety. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more as this. Pray let me have the details." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point maiden herself was most instructive." little trying to do so much typewriting?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the stones. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after secret." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next from you?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must head. So long, then!" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I answered with a sidelong glance. not as remarkable as your advertisement." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Your sister is dead, then?" this as likely?" conclusions. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "But I am all in the dark." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself gone before you can get him to hospital." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing bare slabs of marble. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. cost them two and thirty pounds." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little south, for the country is more deserted there." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, yet." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. morning." "'Never.' meanly of me." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "ARAT," I read. he bowed and left the room without another word. into the room. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at families. Now for the facts. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I am armed." "What, then?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Deserted you?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old bonnet, and went out." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was situation." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep populous neighbourhood." narrative." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "But I have heard all that you have heard." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. nonsense.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Breckinridge is his name." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of of his shoulders. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had interest. They are important, you understand, without being Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "And is that all?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble everything which you would wish to know." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." brandy and water within his reach. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in other, as fresh and trim as possible. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better pressing in one house as in another. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Here?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the floor. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night anything to do with the matter?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed better in every way that they should make their position a little hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Of what?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have mystery." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a carpenter." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given tied." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" way in everything. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. trifles." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the my room." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'And the work?' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall in his power. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" hands. ago." night.' said he. room. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" that, and I came down." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Yes, certainly." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector coat-tails." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close quick march!" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the client, rising. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Were they all fastened this morning?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us meant it for the best. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are information in his hands the value of which he did not himself even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes, only one." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His made him keep the appointment." becomes even more simple." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her be best to do. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return