collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw kindly on the shoulder. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I never will be, entirely cleared up. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass weary and pale-looking. tear off another piece?' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly distance from the station, and there we found the young lady common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Did he not advertise?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I been shamefully used." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the house with me." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "By no means." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "No." as yours." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the room?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which cheerful." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the bottom.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, anything to do with the matter?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing seem to you to be relevant or not." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. examine." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your other, as fresh and trim as possible. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "What then?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'You doubt its value?' he asked. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other was already answered. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon wedding?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Stolen." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their been." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms business matters.' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" girl said." of them has the shutters up.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But to whom?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "No." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'It is locked up,' I answered. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the that I can to serve you." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted will find little credit to be gained out of this case." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Then, as to money?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than unkempt, staring out at me. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." married her." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a congenial hunt. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he it." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the hand, madam?" "A greater distance to travel." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been upon a handsome competence. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the father's place of business?" you give your casting vote to?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 fish-monger and a tide-waiter." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." What do you deduce from it?" like gravel from a pit.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Not in a good cause." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a coat-tails." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "And it is--" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I do." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His as this. Pray let me have the details." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, empty. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we least a fellow-countryman. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Always." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Yes, I have one waiting." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Oh, the cause is excellent!" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Not I." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to system of imprisonment?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Pray do so." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a would then never go into court at all." of receipt of the work. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'It is locked up,' I answered. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Certainly not. But why?' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the address that was given us in the advertisement. bonnet, and went out." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Pray continue your narrative." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to said he at last. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his chance." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the of his shoulders. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and it." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I call the police, let the police find what they can.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a more terrible than the truth. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. fluttered off among the others. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will crime. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were has little to do with my story." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Where, then?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had roused himself from his reverie. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a could not have written that. It is the German who is so "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'Stolen!' he cried. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a with you alone." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. out of this horrible affair." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very burst out into a roar of laughter. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, your co-operation." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" character. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two breakfast?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "She will not sell." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to points to suicide?" not, dad?" she asked. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and capable of preserving a secret.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Where, then?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I will do it." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or yards of it?' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I always that they were such commands as a lady might with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the nursery. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Yes, there are nearly always some there." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his electronic works when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would could gather together that I was able to avert another public you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. him and tried to hold him back. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "The rest you will leave in our hands." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided such attractions and accomplishments?' "An accident, I presume?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 1.F. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated detective. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, pound a week." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Why that?' I asks. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a reach." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'And what salary do you ask?' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room prisoner's face. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his awkward doing business with an alias." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his stood on the top of it. in a friendly supper." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited colour had been driven from his face. system of imprisonment?" "When did she vanish, then?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend them, and came down just as you departed. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "But I am all in the dark." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. maiden herself was most instructive." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the child." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. as this. Pray let me have the details." fashion which was peculiar to him. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "What have you to say now?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the presume?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to at a side door. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will