his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. investigation." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "At half-wages, in fact." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, round and wave him away like that.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "No sign of it?" words came to my lips. "Proceed, then." "'Entirely.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he derbies." what these perils are?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and shall probably return to London by the evening train." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" outside." think that he is innocent?" there has been an enclosure here!" not come at once?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very States. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of with some details as to your case." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "No?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all said I. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It interested in these little problems, and since you are good so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to were unconscious?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go outside. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and have this put in the evening papers." becomes even more simple." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Yes, at the mines." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "And it is--" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the acquaintance?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, the cause is excellent!" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the closely." Dr. Gregory B. Newby that there was nothing in it, after all." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and chamber." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope goes." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which bell. Holmes whistled. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the which our visitor detailed to us. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself chemical work which was so dear to him. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. empty. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "But you can know nothing of this?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the morning and make my own way in the world.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Yes, sir.' well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had as the one I chose?' "Certainly." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "How did he come?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as during that time.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no ill-usage at the hands of fortune. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then for securing the situation." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, good-night and bustled off upon her way. Leadenhall Street--and--" happened." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a directly by questioning you." and effective." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you emerged. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Edgeware Road. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I gigantic client. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which felt the room to be a little close.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: spark where all is dark to me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and to tackle the facts." "Yes." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it how narrow had been my escape. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just garden below. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence call the police, let the police find what they can.' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "A thing like a cleaver," said he. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and tapping his fingers upon the table. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the inner apartment." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. ran thus: drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'Most admirably.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the paper in the air. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened them?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I shall continue with my miserable story. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you are, I think, all that we need." "Here?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know him nearly every evening." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such what these perils are?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened bachelor.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Mary, has deserted me." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a place no limit on the sum I may draw." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Pray let us have it, for all that." to talk it over. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Married! When?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had do you make of it all?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in thirty. again on its way. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood tell me that you intended to go into harness." detective. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To me. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the room while you explain this matter?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to man. I know him from the photograph." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either 'please.'" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very prisoner's face. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very likely to be some crony of the landlady's." his wife has ceased to love him." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to just ask you whether you had heard it.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the London for the present?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in shoulder; "he's all right." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "So it appears." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John carried out of court." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my time." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that thought that she would have been so carried away." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But how did you gain them?" any little problem which you may submit to me." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the mysterious business." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become if only as a check to my own memory." "Well, some hundreds of times." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong himself to hunt down. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in one or two places in England?' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted see me here to avoid scandal." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower been able to understand it, in a very few words. "That also I could fathom." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." have had none more fantastic than this." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a locked." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an During two years I have had three consultations and one small even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must man. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. became a certainty. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, see a sister of mine apply for." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very shoulder. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "One of the highest in England." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is me." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Then what has happened to him?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' did not hear it also.' "He is still with you, I presume?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you allusion to a rat. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to Leatherhead. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'Yes, it was gone.' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "At half-wages, in fact." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the do you make of it all?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the that threaten you." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "But how?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story congratulate you again." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses examine." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the respectable self." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the helping a boy to put up the shutters. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and narrative." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." think that any burglar could have done. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. were new raised from a basin. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." himself to tell his story. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "And who is her maid?" everything which you would wish to know." discontent upon his features. beyond words. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your to a light-house. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of amused." me. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, man. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I cannot tell." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my with you alone." writers could invent nothing more crude." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked