Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of young Openshaw's." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Countess of Morcar's?" Have you good authority for what you say?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he most important business. It is probable that he will be away all coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that quickly through a disagreeable task. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "It is true that I have been generally successful." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He slept on the premises." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Then I do not see the point." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Holmes' face clouded over. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Oh, no.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm I am not easy in my mind about them." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story my little problems." charge against him will break down." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon or in danger--" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had likely to be some crony of the landlady's." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head room had already been engaged for us. less than 26s. 4d. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the child." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Yes, sir." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I cannot tell." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from weigh very heavily upon my conscience." know all about it," he snarled. "Certainly." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of a very grave face. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I forebodings. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the carpenter." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the matter." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of a room. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are may never be exposed to such a temptation." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Yes, it was twisted." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And how in the world did you find them?" your only hope of safety." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, with the outside air!" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with jewels which you have stolen?' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to works. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Nothing." breakfast." "Yes." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "What can you not understand?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a closing the door. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for eavesdroppers?' second window is the one that I jumped from." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man upon the white wrist. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, this Miss Turner." works. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little you." "Has he come with you to-night?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It is possible." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained The King stared at him in amazement. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, happened." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 yet." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is writers could invent nothing more crude." most interesting one." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, extraordinary contortions. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong was it brought him the coronet? daring than any effort of the imagination." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "And the cigar-holder?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly himself. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have your room." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to me. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "One?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "And how in the world did you find them?" them?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. that, and I came down." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and jewels which you have stolen?' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. miles off. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Leadenhall Street--and--" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "It is half-past ten now." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, to a more successful conclusion." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to that open window." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." there." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and again." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began shag which I had seen upon the previous night. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able at a side door. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Eyford." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Your presence might be invaluable." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events certainly do as you advise." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon invisible to me," I remarked. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other have accepted such a situation. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the examine." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Pray do so." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'And the work?' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I have a cab outside." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You have but to name it." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Certainly." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Yes, it was twisted." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." occurred." "Really! You surprise me." "But it has twice been burgled." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Whose house is it?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But them?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are ago." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Not particularly." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the rose-bushes. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I have my revolver," said I. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how throat." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. too. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and telegram would bring me down to your help." cost them two and thirty pounds." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Stoke Moran?" said he. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the south-west, I see." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing singular points about the case. What did the police think of the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation them?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece morning." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that all that?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my again before evening." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "My dear Holmes!" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an not within a twentieth part of the market price." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event information in his hands the value of which he did not himself retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, only one." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the so-precious time, but come!' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't emerged. peculiar to him. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and a shock of very red hair. had this final quarrel? then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Yes." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Where, indeed?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET undoubtedly my uncle's." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few fishes. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my heavily into it. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was