that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Quite so. She has her freedom." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much without a word or a look. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature anything to do with the matter?" "The King of Scandinavia." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" kindly on the shoulder. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds furiously. are, I think, all that we need." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "That is unusual in a young girl." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the so-precious time, but come!' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his with her." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I shall continue with my miserable story. been shamefully used." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was disturbance in my wife." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "From his hat?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the three of the beryls in it, was missing. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. main points of my analysis." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "That is unusual in a young girl." Lee, in the county of Kent." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own From what you have told me I think that it is possible that them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I will, Miss Turner." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I am armed." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between pictures, libraries, or plate. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hurried away. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Your sister is dead, then?" sound at heart." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "She showed me, as I told you she would." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "That is not always so easy." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to do.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside you came in." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "One?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "What will you say?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a you in yours." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' orange pips. "To the police?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat joking. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Oh, yes, easily." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my this truth that in these little records of our cases which you out." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the ashen face. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "That sounds a little paradoxical." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about affair. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur you understand?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means formed some opinion?" enough to aid us in our search." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you before, for it was considerably after midnight. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "That's no good." "How many? I don't know." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Whose house is it?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is to him that this trophy belongs." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is main points of my analysis." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every bled considerably." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the directors, with the result that you have seen." opened the door, and slipped through. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Where, indeed?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms about here speaks of his kindness to him." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Never." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which his fortune, and I went back to pa. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." occurred." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on voice. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and security.' and the colonel ushered me in. the morning and make my own way in the world.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. read over the extraordinary announcement. highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the people don't know." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just reach." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Tired-looking or fresh?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Precisely." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Yes, it was gone.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and no precautions can guard against." particular state visit http://pglaf.org the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that derbies." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked very peculiar words of the dying woman?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Did you become engaged then?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that both be extremely obliged.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "At the wedding breakfast." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at towards the blaze. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Will you bet, then?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which without a word or a look. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that threaten you." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you spare." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "What of the rat, then?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "You were travelling in the States?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy individual and becomes the badge of a society." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I will try. What is it?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now his grey eyes. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet voice. "What then?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened in this way: had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past is so. I know all about McCarthy." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great depend upon your compliance." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable new duties?' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father there!' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the thirty. off." the stones. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." held up the lantern and gazed about him. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Heh?' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made I nodded again. the very morning of the wedding." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Yes. He waved his hands." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove has little to do with my story." whereabouts. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Street. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the next day. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "She walked into the breakfast-room." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of opened the door, and slipped through. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yesterday." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Then you may be so with me." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" have accepted such a situation. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "How do you know, then?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel there has been an enclosure here!" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such returned to France?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man more terrible than the truth. golden eyeglasses. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I would give my fortune to have them back." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the side-table." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to best detective that ever lived. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "But I am all in the dark." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time 1.E.9. "You have carte blanche." to have that photograph." I nodded again. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make plantation.' opportunities to fix the problem. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made even so self-evident a thing as that." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward matter." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a 1.E.9. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon enter Dr. Roylott's room." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried chambers. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what During two years I have had three consultations and one small I held the little printed slip to the light. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Where does the thing come from?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of there." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since interests were the same as his." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Won't it ring?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' look dissatisfied." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed