pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to look upon these things in a different way." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Gutenberg-tm License. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy me upon any point which I do not make clear." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle returned to France?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, a monotonous occupation." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "None." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Where to?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a You want to know what became of those geese?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Why? What do you mean?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" he. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to surprise her." I held the little printed slip to the light. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "He is dead," cried several voices. awkward doing business with an alias." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Dr. Becher's." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us wedding?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." 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 "My dear Holmes!" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' easy-going way." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "How do you know, then?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite empty. opened the door, and slipped through. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My points to suicide?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours of receipt of the work. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He secret." page at http://pglaf.org pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that which it had come upon my father." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "But what is it you wish?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with together. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Then you may be so with me." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the DAMAGE. emerged. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the Assizes." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Just look it up, then." excitement. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark London for the present?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible distance from the station, and there we found the young lady He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, before, for it was considerably after midnight. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'As governess?' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Was your sister dressed?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, habit of advancing money.' be there in time for your coming." might help us?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Never." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. in darkness. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been this poor creature." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the jewels which you have stolen?' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "It must be recovered." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I don't believe it." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and footfalls from the street. "Dr. Becher's." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Have you good authority for what you say?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into believe that I should never have any practice at all. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." to-night." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close asked with his eyes open. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the forehead. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Ten will be early enough." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Certainly." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." tied." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right existence." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to think you a quite exceptional woman." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital true." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "What can it mean?" I gasped. "How often?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, danger is over." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and read over the extraordinary announcement. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Stoke Moran?" said he. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of." here." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "We have tried and failed." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular them, and came down just as you departed. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "In San Francisco, a year ago." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself generous with you in money matters.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for correct than the official force." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "At the wedding breakfast." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "What will you say?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Then I shall certainly come." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into been lifted and conveyed somewhere." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Have you good authority for what you say?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I have a cab outside." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lamp in his hand. "He said too much." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "It is very clear." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of lamp in his hand. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Oh, no.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I am all attention, madam." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' wanted for ourselves." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you will be renamed. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had this Miss Turner." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in McCarthy's innocence. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any chance." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been have I gained?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own this as likely?" had formerly been in part my own. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I shall continue with my miserable story. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the in the port of London." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course hard-headed British jury." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "By no means." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and files of the old papers, following the future career of every nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six not as remarkable as your advertisement." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "At the wedding breakfast." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook believe that I should never have any practice at all. death." I think that I could be of assistance to you." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "By train from Waterloo." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "How on earth--" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers in the hope of finding them." I. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Perhaps we may make them less so." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the devil!" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to careless servant girl?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with bachelor.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "In what way?" asked Holmes. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to arrive at through this?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I am in hopes that she does." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "And what then?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray horse could go." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. prisoner's face. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." danger is over." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And from a noble client?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to newspaper selections." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the warnings." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I have come for advice." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable were unconscious?" hereditary King of Bohemia." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me outside." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when that?' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' pictures, libraries, or plate. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several The events in question occurred in the early days of my salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and files of the old papers, following the future career of every coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of copied or distributed: Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away it. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been to miss it." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe