"As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. our word." "No, finished." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass is entirely a question of barometric pressure." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then window when the police appeared." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had attention." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did in your London, you will know that the office of the company is never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which way in everything. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over ago." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "None." astonishment. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal The telegram which we eventually received came late one night as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there occupations.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." held up the lantern and gazed about him. and inquire as to the address." Henry Baker is a member." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Then I do not see the point." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Never.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies do you make of it all?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you friends, not even his own brother. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. murdered man." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Precisely." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Which surely he restored to their owner?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the so.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Literary Archive Foundation our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "To ruin me." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat even of instruction." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was IS appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "My dear Holmes!" lectures into a series of tales." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'I shall certainly be there.' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom before the coroner and the police-court." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very rose-bushes. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ready to-morrow?' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather main points of my analysis." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his least a fellow-countryman. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and purpose of examination. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But you in your example." "And what did you learn from him?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Pray let us have it, for all that." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Very truly yours, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' politicians who had been sent down from the North. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. business matters.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me photograph a cabinet?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not opened the door, and slipped through. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and bare slabs of marble. woman." asked. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to-night's adventure." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the upon the white wrist. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I say it is." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with you alone." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It missed him, then?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a heavy and sharp instrument." golden eyeglasses. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Was the window open?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding then?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Quite so." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just kindly on the shoulder. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to a light-house. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first had a long day." good for you to do.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several rooms." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had at once, for I have only half an hour." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the room while you explain this matter?" "Absolutely?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving with some details as to your case." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I do." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. said he. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to tell." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet in this note: days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." gives a meaning to it." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had shag which I had seen upon the previous night. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in clanging. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "What will you say?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I leave." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of case-book, which he consulted. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'What then?' I asked. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Thank you. Pray proceed." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Where to?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely visitors." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. do." she to prove their authenticity?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to tackle the facts." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Is 4 pounds a week.' police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, easy-going way." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Eh? What was that?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress bare slabs of marble. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I think that I had better go, Holmes." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary than to us. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like walking." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fattened it expressly for you.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a straightened it out again. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside I. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," voice. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Yes, I promise.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more what I may call a really hard day's work." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It is his hat." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of whether it answered to the description of any of their "Here?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock sofa. This way, please!" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his forehead." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Where to?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt said I. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that the gas is not laid on in his house?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern weary and pale-looking. wall." "But who is he?" putting in the horse. "Perfectly so." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" these bleak autumnal evenings." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I should be immensely obliged to you." the inner apartment." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to miss it." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, charge against him will break down." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint late." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be His smile broadened. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "One of the highest in England." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling cheerful." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Does that suggest anything?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; chill to my heart. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was seven miles from Eyford Station.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his a monotonous occupation." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her away into the river." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "What then?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official him nearly every evening." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all promised to bring home. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I