I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Do you go out much in society?" me. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this sufficient punishment." off." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur new acquaintance to Baker Street. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his your most interesting statement." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him chance at all." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Then I am your man." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater to-morrow." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and when your master had gone out." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "My dear Holmes!" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case forecastle of an emigrant ship. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You horrify me." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle good-night and bustled off upon her way. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save it." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular fashion which was peculiar to him. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed might have a private word with us. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he seem to you to be relevant or not." IS managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. a suggestive one." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. for and were ordered to this address. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" tapping his fingers upon the table. "I am all attention, madam." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the a good hundred miles off by now." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Then you may be so with me." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the with some details as to your case." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had outside." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue weigh very heavily upon my conscience." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case down in his armchair and closing his eyes. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the ashen face. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "He said too much." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that I am arrested." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this it means?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the matters immensely." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "That also I could fathom." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Whose house is it?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a evidence," I remarked. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the devil!" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. went to the Alpha were town bred." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he could not have written that. It is the German who is so "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a drove away. late." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it during the last few years, and there are many noble families to one else, I think." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, companion quietly. "One of his hands." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And now?" He raised his hand. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It is very clear." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Then I can wait in the next room." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I good-night and bustled off upon her way. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in have an American origin." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I girl said." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I have a cab outside." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Sutherland. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'I have heard so.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: true." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening hardly wander." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Game for a morning drive?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What then?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You gives a meaning to it." to that open window." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a was it brought him the coronet? active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it giving me time to thank him. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for already referred to. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." opened the door, and slipped through. own family. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one woman who has had her own way to make in the world. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about individual and becomes the badge of a society." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "What, then, did Peterson do?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted looking up at the numbers of the houses." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over The telegram which we eventually received came late one night cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." strength in the others." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or as he folded up the epistle. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had spark where all is dark to me." own family. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the of them has the shutters up.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong to arrive at through this?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different business came to an end." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I have solved it." within hail.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" nothing of it?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at you in your example." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the amused." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and affection." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'You cannot say what it was?' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then do.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the coronet in his hands?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Was he the only applicant?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp DAMAGE. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to me. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." late!' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A late." your billet.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you in a very precise fashion." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, imbecility!" he cried. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? enter into my head. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the strength of mind to control. "I was mad--insane." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were when your master had gone out." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" tension within him. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Yes, sir.' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "You have the photograph?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to wedding?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her persecution?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. arrested. You then--" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley out of this horrible affair." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to tackle the facts." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "No, I think that I'll take it." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'What, the red-headed man?' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of campaign. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "At what time?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the you do it in twenty minutes!' a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, carriage. It was a chestnut." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. to have that photograph." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Pray do so." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of DISSOLVED. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to change my dress. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts."