furiously. beyond words. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "An accident, I presume?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small possible that we could bring him back to her? not come at once?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how useful material for showing traces. The double line a little hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on bird I ate is country bred." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the is a common subject for conversation. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It was an hour's good drive." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. purpose of examination. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. is so. I know all about McCarthy." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Certainly." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And how have you succeeded?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of the vacancies.' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "But what is it you wish?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you The summons was a brief and urgent one. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "No. What a strange idea!" "But what harm can there be in that?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" or other trace. But how on earth--" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper any more." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of the one which your family is now devouring." possible that we could bring him back to her? interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I have seen the police." "What can you not understand?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, national property. I was determined that the law should have its maiden herself was most instructive." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." wall." success. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you bare slabs of marble. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I forecastle of an emigrant ship. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of has little to do with my story." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the salesman. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and in the port of London." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut cost them two and thirty pounds." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'I have heard so.' as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing companion imperturbably. "What?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Which surely he restored to their owner?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the ceiling. at my own good fortune. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my was a perfect sample of the class. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the populous neighbourhood." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who washing it down with a long draught of water. any little problem which you may submit to me." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor burst out into a roar of laughter. points to suicide?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little geese which you supplied to the Alpha." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Nothing." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was gone before you can get him to hospital." "No." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other in a very precise fashion." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 people don't know." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing shoulder; "he's all right." that, and I came down." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was case-book, which he consulted. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of matter." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Ample." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Do you know him?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to miss it." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the felt the room to be a little close.' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the best of training." had picked up in the wood. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "And what then?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and daring than any effort of the imagination." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "That is possible." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, arrested. You then--" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the delighted to hear it," he said. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "What is it?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, goes." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Again Holmes raved in the air. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such pound a week." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some photograph?" asked with his eyes open. "What then?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin McCarthy." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' cigars in their mouths. house for five minutes.' "Then I can wait in the next room." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "No good news?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as yours." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, purpose equally well?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from detained." "How many? I don't know." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Which dealer's?' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary have accepted such a situation. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round throat." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the more solid." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. in. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we my former friend and companion. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Do you receive much company?" he asked. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "There is the writing." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Edgeware Road. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of invisible to me," I remarked. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible them?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "And it is--" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your some terrible trap for her." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a whether it answered to the description of any of their which are rolled in Rotterdam." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. certainly do as you advise." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the carpenter." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Yes, it was gone.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove less than 26s. 4d. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'How far from the body?' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Where did he live, then?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this said he. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You have but to name it." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the unkempt, staring out at me. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Will you bet, then?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the little opening for the ventilator is." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, of Fenchurch Street." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we notes," he said. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my train.' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can colonel looking down at me. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last house for five minutes.' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told distinguish the words: "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and What do you deduce from it?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "What are they?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself business." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried is acting for the best. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can ran thus: was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he this poor creature." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to said I. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." lost his Christmas dinner." "I cannot tell." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "No." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. it means?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Very murderous indeed." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing ways of our fellow-men." to have been novel and of interest." for its centre. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he manager. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "He might." "Not in the least." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried foot. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "That is not always so easy." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by wedding?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further out." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past tightly behind him. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport absolutely follow my advice in every respect." meant it for the best. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. floor. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. figure." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to keep the flames under. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The knees of his trousers." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It is a murder, then?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the