face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the shaken than I had ever seen him. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "And the cigar-holder?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this colonel looking down at me. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" to miss it." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' speckled band?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as not personally threatened." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the mysterious business." "How often?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building humiliation." your co-operation." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." him to go away.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the wall." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and against a man in the prime of life?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "But how will you look?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Again Holmes raved in the air. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he appeal." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fear." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "And did you observe any change in her then?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'I have heard so.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could some place of shelter and let the county police know what has so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that neither fascinating nor artistic." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way from you?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "It is possible." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless back to my heart. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle crime." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "In what way?" asked Holmes. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was prison!" "Well?" thin legs towards the fire. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a some water from a caraffe. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." round and wave him away like that.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Then he might have called to you?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "What! Had he lost his wife?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout use an arc-and-compass breastpin." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "No, thank goodness, she did not." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. might help us?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the it." that he will be back before evening." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "What have you to say now?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I am armed." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its said I. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to that open window." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." was feeling which was the fattest.' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "There is the writing." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under II. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Her father is very rich?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the o'clock is it?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I nodded to show that I had heard. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the tragedy. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What other means.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the room while you explain this matter?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the you do it in twenty minutes!' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once you do it in twenty minutes!' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Breckinridge is his name." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yes." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already there was no need for father to know." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Will you bet, then?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "The landlord of the Alpha." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing electronic works will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the made him keep the appointment." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "My private note-paper." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered have I gained?" Serpentine Avenue. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as night.' said he. and wait." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your been deceived." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Ample.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" to a light-house. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. would then never go into court at all." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Holmes' thin, eager face. him to be an active member of the medical profession." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "What, then?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she them, and came down just as you departed. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers desk. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, maid will bring up your coffee." started for the Temple to see my husband. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very It may be so in this case, also." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella my little problems." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater chill to my heart. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he beg that you will break it off." "Have you her photograph?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. gone. chemical work which was so dear to him. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my you in yours." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of which it had come upon my father." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. several quiet little villages up there." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Farm upon the left." whether it answered to the description of any of their the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And the cigar-holder?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since chill to my heart. asked. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Perhaps we may make them less so." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Arthur Conan Doyle a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You saw the ventilator, too?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. said I. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I think that I could be of assistance to you." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'I have already given you my word.' "Not social, then?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' village inn over there?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those could go. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears charged with?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official outbreak?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and in a friendly supper." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Now, then, what's the last entry?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a little trying to do so much typewriting?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their guilty parties." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "And what did you learn from him?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Why serious?" once more. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the to tackle the facts." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of at my remark. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were just called myself is not exactly my own." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater visitors." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing him to go away.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "It is half-past ten now." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the tell him that I know him to be innocent." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, colour had been driven from his face. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Munro.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, carpenter." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "When did it break out?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for breakfast and whispered something to her husband. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do