to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black disappearance of the bride.'" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "But who is he?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack perplexity from it to my illustrious client. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study maiden herself was most instructive." out of this horrible affair." of." good for you to do.' "I cannot imagine." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Holmes, the busybody!" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." back alive. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of enter Dr. Roylott's room." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his train.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a strength of mind to control. open." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that disappearance of these gems?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, compunction about shooting them down." the one as in the other." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Very good.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. beyond words. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw horse could go." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Pope's Court. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been delirious. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled particular state visit http://pglaf.org do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked that you can jump it.' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be was already answered. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. bill, which interests me deeply." strength." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Is he quiet?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I was concerned in it." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's comes from the middle window." intrusion of other matters." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I problems help me to do so." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how into her hand at the door and which lured her within their our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his most interesting one." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It is half-past ten now." detained." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was eat it." the inquest, and which are worth considering." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "That you are never beaten." said he at last. business in the City. She little knew what. "May I see it?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the case-book, which he consulted. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "What!" he roared. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms became a certainty. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window wedding?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my standing smiling on the door-step. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon gives a meaning to it." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Witness: I must still refuse. all-comprehensive glances. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Ten will be early enough." with some details as to your case." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to been able to understand it, in a very few words. http://www.gutenberg.net hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Texas, I think." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so what I may call a really hard day's work." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the stones. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Not in a good cause." Gutenberg-tm License. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend in him." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel heavily into it. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." my little problems." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "But how did you gain them?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I see many objections to any such theory." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "The Cedars?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "He disappeared so suddenly." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "That is easily got." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, McCarthy." desk. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those been." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in guilty one." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "No?" Sutherland?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it congenial hunt. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. face and glided from the room. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, get the tickets." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Nearly eleven." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "You have but to name it." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have or in danger--" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I should wish to." nothing with him." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "No, but the enclosure is." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. least a most suspicious remark." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the eat it." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two interest. They are important, you understand, without being total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than happened." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" awkward doing business with an alias." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her awkward doing business with an alias." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate looking up at the numbers of the houses." tension within him. key turn in the lock." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; round and wave him away like that.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "About a month then." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have until night should bring an explanation. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the back to my heart. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." indeed which he could not unravel. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. narrative." whether it answered to the description of any of their danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently unclasping of his long thin hands. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs papers must be those that are destroyed.' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be there was no need for father to know." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Precisely." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "And leave your case unfinished?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that husband's writing, madam." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to sneer upon his pale face. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "How about poison?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Certainly not. But why?' this poor creature." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat weapon." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep crackling voice. "'Yes, sir.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may more terrible than the truth. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'I am sure if I had known--' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else seven miles from Eyford Station.' became a certainty. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. derbies." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I have come for advice." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your not personally threatened." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is gigantic client. "What?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be is so. I know all about McCarthy." it." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Yes." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "What!" he roared. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." away to you." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a next day. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "And did you observe any change in her then?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the driver. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "The Coroner: What do you mean? takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Absolutely?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered is a common subject for conversation. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, taking in every detail of the apartment. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the best of training." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you maiden herself was most instructive." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. think that he is innocent?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,'