deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "What then?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first criminal. We have already had experience of such." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be must compliment you." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the dangers which encompass me." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to was already answered. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "So I heard. You have him here?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. them, and came down just as you departed. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms beg that you will break it off." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Your presence might be invaluable." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "But who is he?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" towards the blaze. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. happened." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a States. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery do.' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and father's place of business?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it business." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And in darkness. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, What do you deduce from it?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. see me here to avoid scandal." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the page at http://pglaf.org understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Your presence might be invaluable." Henry Baker is a member." "Really! You surprise me." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to everything which you would wish to know." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You have it, sir, just as it happened." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me chill to my heart. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the pierced for earrings?" his wife has ceased to love him." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in you." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I am armed." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed clanging. do you make of it all?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" eavesdroppers?' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." said he. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as any little problem which you may submit to me." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple face and glided from the room. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a way in." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." business." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. your troubles." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the him and tried to hold him back. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the interested in these little problems, and since you are good by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fashion which was peculiar to him. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "What have you to say now?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "And what did you see?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "An enemy?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as hurried by. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Just look it up, then." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our stepfather?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." before, for it was considerably after midnight. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat occupations.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is me. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried few hundred pounds.' out of this horrible affair." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have them, and came down just as you departed. "In the cells." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before matter." "What then?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has my friend's incisive reasoning. nonsense.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I friend's singular character. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the crime. directly by questioning you." outbreak?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young to me. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Upon what point?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my never came back." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Did he not advertise?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." never to learn it at all." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I followed. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "And on what day did he meet his death?" strength in the others." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have charged with?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. one which it was hard to resist. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'And what are they worth?' I asked. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Not I." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to examine." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of my special province." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which in his hands." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Was the window open?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and the colonel ushered me in. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I leave." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened which are rolled in Rotterdam." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the not come at once?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You DISSOLVED. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hour?' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "And how in the world did you find them?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two I was concerned in it." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "What do you mean?" status with the IRS. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "But you have hopes?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Count Von Kramm." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Did you become engaged then?" better grown goose." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of shaken than I had ever seen him. young Openshaw's." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. appeal." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else read it out to me." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. observed. individual and becomes the badge of a society." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "It missed him, then?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Count Von Kramm." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I don't say that. Perhaps." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." official police." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. weapon." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? of the efforts of the United States government and of the better know all about it," he snarled. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, begun to whiten, even as mine has." prisoner's face. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Nothing?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "In San Francisco, a year ago." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when it." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Yes, all." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. plantation.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Yes." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Why? What do you mean?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper to-night." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious becomes even more simple." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have been better. It is all right." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes It may be so in this case, also." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. where we are going." "Come in!" said he. "Certainly." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And why?" to some other building. wedding?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Why that?' I asks. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." are windows in it, of course?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a washing it down with a long draught of water. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I will not look." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' upon a handsome competence.