he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And it is--" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke train.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as leaning back in his chair. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy emerged. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I cannot tell." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Of Friday, June 19th." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Certainly, madam." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to what these perils are?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "None." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical words came to my lips. "Look there!" said he. the child." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not bell. Holmes whistled. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But your client--" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "That also I could fathom." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In entirely devoid of interest." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said vault. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" into the room. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "An accident, I presume?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then examination of the premises, but without finding anything which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My up this clue while it is still hot." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who hereditary King of Bohemia." maiden herself was most instructive." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Never to return." paper in the air. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Entirely." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to best detective that ever lived. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "What is it, then--a fire?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not of the one which your family is now devouring." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and have this put in the evening papers." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute presented more singular features than that which was associated said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less if she died from some sudden fright." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be instituted." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "How did that help you?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I would give my fortune to have them back." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Very truly yours, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." door?" "You are hungry," I remarked. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink get her out of the way." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not forebodings. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "That is it on the dressing-table." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I leave." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be detective. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered article?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "By all means." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Has he come with you to-night?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but instituted." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "10th. John Swain cleared. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'It is locked up,' I answered. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." head. So long, then!" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed seen the man in the road." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a wife's character?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and them?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the once more to my work. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Come in!" said Holmes. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "How did that help you?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. new duties?' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the all?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time know that the truth is known." "You have but to name it." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wedding?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it held up the lantern and gazed about him. you?' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Precisely." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was horse could go." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Serpentine Avenue. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my six. Come in!" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "We were both in the photograph." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Texas, I think." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Then I can wait in the next room." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Yes, I have one waiting." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the side-table." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Precisely so. But how--" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "My dear Holmes!" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "It is solved." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I help us in this matter." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about direction." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no better in every way that they should make their position a little her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has obstinate." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Mrs. Toller serenely. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger my former friend and companion. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the during that time.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with most interesting one." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and of receipt of the work. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hard-headed British jury." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "My own seal." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the tear off another piece?' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "But to whom?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Did he not advertise?" key turn in the lock." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, place of silver." "None." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of place of silver." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at empty. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was sake, don't!" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion congratulate you again." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "No good news?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Perhaps we may make them less so." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is infinite languor in his face. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. article?" "So I have heard." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "To the police?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and 1.E.9. "I have hopes." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted is four-and-twenty." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And why?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." again, where I was soon asleep. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working visitors." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, your room." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his interests were the same as his." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Where did you address your letters, then?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Proceed, then." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's when your master had gone out." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small acted in my house last night?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. I held the little printed slip to the light. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the married her." in one or two places in England?' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our it with his own hands." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Imitated." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken them present such singular features as the strange train of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others never will be, entirely cleared up. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about I shall continue with my miserable story. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. remarked. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Then you may be so with me." mysterious end." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, constraint." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with the outside air!" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Not social, then?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to conclusions. "Here?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while that I am arrested." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "And sit in the dark?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by