"And the cigar-holder?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike tear off another piece?' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Precisely." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet even of instruction." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be money should be paid at once.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon promised to bring home. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "By no means." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Watson," he said cordially. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Surrey." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I nodded to show that I had heard. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I think you a quite exceptional woman." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." of." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through individual and becomes the badge of a society." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense nonsense.' been shamefully used." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the matter?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still invisible to me," I remarked. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I this remarkable episode. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and put his glass in his pocket. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open nights." "What! Had he lost his wife?" not, dad?" she asked. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes, from Horsham." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she maiden herself was most instructive." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and this Miss Turner." I. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the promised to bring home. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who will find little credit to be gained out of this case." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of what these perils are?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I But Holmes shook his head gravely. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I have come for advice." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. My friend smiled. depend upon your compliance." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our on re-entering her father's house?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, call you and give you the chance." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or sufficient punishment." Gutenberg-tm License. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to letters?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott weapon." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that believe that I should never have any practice at all. "We were both in the photograph." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all late!' "What is it, then--a fire?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "It is very kind of you." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for washing it down with a long draught of water. "Frequently." "What?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I approached. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So heavy and sharp instrument." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Pope's Court. with some details as to your case." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the congratulate you again." "The Cedars?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the tightly behind him. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and behind me. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I have an American origin." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" them, and came down just as you departed. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "How long did she speak to this Alice?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" annoyance, but no jest. Literary Archive Foundation the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Tell me all about it,' said I. like that before?" electronic works door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband bachelor.' weighed down with some great anxiety. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Where to?" to miss it." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the families. Now for the facts. place no limit on the sum I may draw." get the tickets." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the nothing with him." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, putting in the horse. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried up this clue while it is still hot." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon from the brougham. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his eyes and forehead. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be chambers. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King must compliment you." to miss it." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of quickly through a disagreeable task. once more. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and fattened it expressly for you.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I must compliment you." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I think it very unlikely." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful http://www.gutenberg.net his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the for and were ordered to this address. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Yes, that is the Crown." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, hereditary King of Bohemia." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." you want, then?' "And leave your case unfinished?" friends, not even his own brother. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the driver. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Come in!" said he. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather What do you deduce from it?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." as yours." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, only one." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as place no limit on the sum I may draw." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Serpentine Avenue. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the loss of it. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Your sister is dead, then?" mystery." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith James Windibank. Voilà tout!" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An photograph?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Pray be precise as to details," said he. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "But you have hopes?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "What! Had he lost his wife?" http://www.gutenberg.net There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I am all attention, madam." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to affect your life." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And companion imperturbably. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the night.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "What! You do not mean bodies?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into feature." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from place no limit on the sum I may draw." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." sooner or later she must fall a victim. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "This photograph!" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes directly by questioning you." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it electronic works of his shoulders. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which question you as to those details which seem to me to be most spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It missed him, then?" such person." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." friends, not even his own brother. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are which are rolled in Rotterdam." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You have a clue?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I am armed." "Pray do so." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." me. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that I am arrested." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "He disappeared so suddenly." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Her father is very rich?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I weapon." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me salesman. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black key of the affair now." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without there when the Rucastles went away." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, address. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The woman who has had her own way to make in the world. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and photograph?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that I am arrested." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "A client, then?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable said he at last. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the crime. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the she used." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You did not overhear what they said?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Your French gold?" hands. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But foresight and the moral retrogression?" all that?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. door?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence bonnet, and went out." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open said he. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now