"'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" populous neighbourhood." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But very morning of my second wedding." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." he. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "On Monday." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in fashion which was peculiar to him. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the coronet in his hand?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "That is possible." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Who was the criminal, then?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. to arrive at through this?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Yes, sir.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have success. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was she to prove their authenticity?" companion imperturbably. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Holmes. photograph a cabinet?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It must be recovered." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And how have you succeeded?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Nearly eleven." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." little adventures." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you retorted upon me, and I on you." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his wife has ceased to love him." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry intrusion of other matters." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'I have already given you my word.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! not interfere, come what may. You understand?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." tail." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the matter?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to fact, we may call it conclusive." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Pray do so." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "To ruin me." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips asked. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and once more for Briony Lodge. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had seven miles from Eyford Station.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "The doctor?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause quick march!" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady o'clock is it?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how awaited us upon the table. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is signal between you and your father? rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a place of silver." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a own family. young Openshaw's." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless manager. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at I think that I could be of assistance to you." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Precisely." Heh?' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I answered that I had not. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He one's self under obligations.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets what these perils are?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel few hundred pounds.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon to-morrow." bedroom door." "Entirely." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing in him." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "My dear Holmes!" next day. easy-going way." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Never to return." tightly behind him. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." enter Dr. Roylott's room." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. again, where I was soon asleep. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, you in your example." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "And your father? Did you tell him?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third 1.E.9. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "No, I think that I'll take it." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets had this final quarrel? "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has himself to tell his story. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted served to weaken the effect. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Yes, certainly." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of important." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key been able to understand it, in a very few words. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if back alive. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "And I to find an enemy." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the iron safe, which he closed upon it. should be so warm over such a trifle." bell. Holmes whistled. detective. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "You have but to name it." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the again on its way. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even became a certainty. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the copied or distributed: to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend minor matters until to-morrow." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt union?" question," said Holmes, smiling. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'You cannot say what it was?' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "It must be recovered." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel where she found matters as described by the last witness. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. face and glided from the room. "And help." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock infinite languor in his face. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel papers diligently of late, have you not?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in thirty. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the coronet in his hand?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" remarked. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from kindly on the shoulder. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of one of them." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was John Swain, of St. Augustine. "So I have heard." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. time." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "What! You do not mean bodies?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The me where it went to?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Leadenhall Street--and--" invisible to me," I remarked. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and fashion which was peculiar to him. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Nothing?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "You have but to name it." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small deduce something from that?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical as this. Pray let me have the details." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him acted in my house last night?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove completely overtopped every other consideration that we both discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it His smile broadened. "Yes." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, drawing your inferences." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten there were so many in the whole country as were brought together simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Never to return." "Yes." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding cigars in the box." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It missed him, then?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. your billet.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most once more. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had think you a quite exceptional woman." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Where, indeed?" with her." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I am to be neutral?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." have I gained?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to fled together." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the inner apartment." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I