back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other extraordinary contortions. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Yes, it would be as well." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I shall communicate with you." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "And why?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. putting in the horse. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the vanished into the darkness. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue discontent upon his features. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in off." gone before you can get him to hospital." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he business." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Were they all fastened this morning?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is http://www.gutenberg.net after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should tassel actually lying upon the pillow. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Can I be of assistance?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it as noiselessly as she had come. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "None." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit think that he is innocent?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond here and I will read it to you: at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There do.' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You think that he is dead?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "You'll never persuade me to believe that." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to have I gained?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I directly by questioning you." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been note?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. chance at all." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. my former friend and companion. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that papers." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in exactly what you advise." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how bears upon the case?" overpowering excitement and concern. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I have seen the police." and the whole place is in a blaze." away into the river." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "But he might be a bachelor." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I say it is." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have your troubles." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "None." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. been able to understand it, in a very few words. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed hopeless attempt at recovering them." recover the gem." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The o'clock is it?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Can I be of assistance?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad which was all perfectly true. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which companion quietly. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will so.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between call it cruel." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over from you?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing jewels which you have stolen?' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa than was visible to me." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I guessed as much." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan in him." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It must be recovered." straightened it out again. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of the one which your family is now devouring." outbreak?" Street. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I would pay ten." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs unprecedented a position." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Yes, the wine-cellar." bill, which interests me deeply." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever row." soul! here is her carriage at the door." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Ample." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can extraordinary contortions. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the one as in the other." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of presume?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Where, then, is my wife?" "What office?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some your most interesting statement." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have meanly of me." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation chance at all." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest now. It seems that there had been some informality about their whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And now?" He raised his hand. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "If so, much may have happened between." of." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten me, and I could not think that his explanation of the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the little opening for the ventilator is." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A I shall communicate with you." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'There is a drive, then?' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Where, then?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Then what has happened to him?" dates and names. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "But she could not love him." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and upon an income of about 60 pounds." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of people don't know." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it them?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil my special province." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six definite end. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Was she in good spirits?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. problems help me to do so." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some interests were the same as his." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "You think that he is dead?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of locked. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET do.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the armchair which I pushed forward for him. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to newspaper selections." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to quick march!" "The best possible." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Yes, I promise.' "I have come for advice." get the tickets." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "She showed me, as I told you she would." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "By no means." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And how?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It was an hour's good drive." mystery may be cleared along those lines." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "But I am all in the dark." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And you don't know his address?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found towards the blaze. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Street. "Pray do so." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Count Von Kramm." highly," said Holmes. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as was feeling which was the fattest.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." best detective that ever lived. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and papers on the sundial.'" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to lectures into a series of tales." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, in this note: father's young wife. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to rooms." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be 1.F. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but learned something! Where are the gems?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds these bleak autumnal evenings." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot highly," said Holmes. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Then I am your man." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "No bad?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Imitated." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away lamp. "That is possible." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Ha! you find it so?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have to me. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate