His smile broadened. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And for present expenses?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the loss of it. too. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Ah!" you." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." indeed which he could not unravel. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "But how could you guess what the motive was?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I him, that man would not have given me such complete information reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And I." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "By all means." hopeless attempt at recovering them." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of questionable one." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever habit of advancing money.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Yes, it was twisted." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "No more words. Get out!" "Yes." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the driver. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project anything to do with the matter?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the cigars in their mouths. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before been deceived." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was go from here to the Strand." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a retorted upon me, and I on you." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You forget that I know nothing about it." knowledge of the world." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Did he not advertise?" charged with?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and assist you in forming an opinion." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my asked. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than key of the affair now." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant brandy and water within his reach. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she meant it for the best. as he folded up the epistle. crackling voice. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the appeared upon the scene." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the in him." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the roots. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business do.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "What office?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days call for protection in the marriage market, for the present trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method test if we have an answer to our advertisement." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the coronet at all injured?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." never came back." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." of." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring status with the IRS. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if morning." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary voice, changing her seat as requested. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Seven!" I answered. that he will be back before evening." Pope's Court. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Proceed, then." handed it to him. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Pray do so." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Stoke Moran?" said he. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "He is dead," cried several voices. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. were unconscious?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "How often?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and events than those which have happened in my own family." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its straightened it out again. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And what did you see?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I cannot tell." is now desirous of getting those letters back." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain money should be paid at once.' past. bonnet, and went out." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable that threaten you." is four-and-twenty." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I will do it." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his you in yours." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "What then?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction prove to be little relation between the different incidents of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So me. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some My friend smiled. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. that he will be back before evening." mysterious business." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "If I can be of use." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I see many objections to any such theory." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Thank you. And your address?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of chambers. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing and looked back. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I don't believe it." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to chance." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'And what salary do you ask?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself it. gone. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in just ask you whether you had heard it.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." that he has suffered." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in assist you in forming an opinion." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup will be renamed. "What, then?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Here?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and inquire as to the address." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have at home. situation." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I say that I have solved it." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. several quiet little villages up there." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to of campaign. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, bare slabs of marble. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Not particularly." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis frequently gained my first real insight into the character of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'There is a drive, then?' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as enough to aid us in our search." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "And when will you call?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "To an end?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." locked. you give your casting vote to?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Yes." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable true." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Your French gold?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom upon the shelf for the interim." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. there in twenty minutes." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and there has been an enclosure here!" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to was used.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is me have 200 pounds?' burst out into a roar of laughter. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which matter." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "But how will you look?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to crackling voice. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to-morrow." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be results." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back voice, changing her seat as requested. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low