august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to companion. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give should be taken.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I never have." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and capable of preserving a secret.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, extraordinary contortions. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "That is unusual in a young girl." "BALLARAT." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "ARAT," I read. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "But his lameness?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, done what I asked you, Jones?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'Which dealer's?' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, beg that you will break it off." you want, then?' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot kind enough to tell me what I should do." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." eat it." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And how did he make his money?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his roused himself from his reverie. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There wife's character?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "But she will refuse." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Then you may be so with me." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain intrusion of other matters." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second there were so many in the whole country as were brought together since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I strength of mind to control. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they recover the gem." success. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a them?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your everything which you would wish to know." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of ceremony." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the his fortune, and I went back to pa. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no way: "I cannot tell." might help us?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a relief. second window is the one that I jumped from." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at recover the gem." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never legal crime." "Well, some hundreds of times." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew it were putty." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Yes, I have one waiting." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was fasten all the windows?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "And why?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Young McCarthy must be got off, however." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about notes," he said. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "You are all wrong." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I shall communicate with you." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Young McCarthy must be got off, however." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to tackle the facts." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to society." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'A dozen yards or so.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. front of me. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And how did you verify them?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of better in every way that they should make their position a little an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he in this note: time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "About a month then." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'How far from the body?' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the His smile broadened. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. again on its way. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his in. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I have my revolver," said I. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if that You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are feature." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a outside. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Murdered?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." arrested. You then--" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to arrive at through this?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "What of the rat, then?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I annoyance, but no jest. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father chance." "Witness: I must still refuse. "But she will refuse." "It is very kind of you." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" was a perfect sample of the class. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You think so, too?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the matter?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir outbreak?" as noiselessly as she had come. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, should be so warm over such a trifle." how narrow had been my escape. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Did he not advertise?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, a room. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "So it appears." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! evidence," I remarked. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, even of instruction." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of lost his Christmas dinner." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and your relations to her." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" breakfast." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'I have heard so.' http://www.gutenberg.net and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Frequently." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "A call for help, you thought?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for leaning back in his chair. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled horse could go." "Nothing?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "What! a murderous attack?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I fear not." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking one which it was hard to resist. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of Mr. Rucastle's." mystery!" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I cannot as yet see any connection." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "How often?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. opportunities to fix the problem. "Not in a good cause." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and himself in a perplexing position. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' anything to do with the matter?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. introspective fashion. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the maid will bring up your coffee." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "To ruin me." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It looks newer than the other things?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "That's no good." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "How on earth--" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. people in all walks of life. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most individual and becomes the badge of a society." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just himself to hunt down. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil 'I should be able to look after that for you.' it were putty." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." asked. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a for the market.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as tell me that you intended to go into harness." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. all-comprehensive glances. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." morning." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Was your sister dressed?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City over here." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gone. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his chamber." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But you have hopes?" at once, for I have only half an hour." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and I shall be with you presently." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "And why?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the how narrow had been my escape. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "If I can be of use." signal between you and your father? "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was figure." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "9th. McCauley cleared. colonel looking down at me. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Yes, sir.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to could not have written that. It is the German who is so come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "VIOLET HUNTER." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has bare slabs of marble. details." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of better grown goose." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and prosperity to your house. Good-night." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the It may be so in this case, also." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good lost nothing by them." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that you can jump it.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott friend's singular character. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I answered that I had not. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for late!' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon