events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit me, and I could not think that his explanation of the get the tickets." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a careless servant girl?" "No more words. Get out!" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "How did you trace it, then?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a until night should bring an explanation. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur nothing of it?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room at my remark. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call me have 200 pounds?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two away into the river." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And how have you succeeded?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "The doctor?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting upon the shelf for the interim." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Edgeware Road. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a is four-and-twenty." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "We must have a cab." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the your room." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Entirely." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us crackling voice. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the nursery. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "And how in the world did you find them?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but conceal it?" gbnewby@pglaf.org "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as in a friendly supper." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first but preventing her from injuring another. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Only as much as we can deduce." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over yourselves in at night?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Perfectly so." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his face. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. brain must have something in it." "Very murderous indeed." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Stolen, then." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'Certainly not.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may ready to-morrow?' Sutherland?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I cannot tell." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. in the port of London." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, true." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the coronet in his hands?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern discontent upon his features. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." in a friendly supper." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a outside. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be foresight and the moral retrogression?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City some water from a caraffe. out." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Not him." "'Yes, I promise.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your in your London, you will know that the office of the company is stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her tell them apart.' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and believe that I should never have any practice at all. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Yes, all." "Your French gold?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I nodded again. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Well." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lamp. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned was not a bird to be seen there. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On You want to know what became of those geese?" she used." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I am sure." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "What I expected to see." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can upon the sideboard." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the case-book, which he consulted. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "What! You do not mean bodies?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair miles off. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. bill, which interests me deeply." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I see many objections to any such theory." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "At what time?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Foundation reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I would pay ten." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to affect your life." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. occurred." ordinary clothes on?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked think, you have already met." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is charged with?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "How on earth--" "Yes, the wine-cellar." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I don't believe it." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'Ample.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very success. seem to you to be relevant or not." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You have but to name it." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of your most interesting statement." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "And Miss Sutherland?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, acquaintance?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, with you alone." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really father's young wife. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Pray let us have it, for all that." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. redistribution. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards charge against him will break down." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Perhaps I have." money should be paid at once.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was me, and I could not think that his explanation of the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really take the flies, but not before." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the she to prove their authenticity?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "And what did you see?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "How can you tell that?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the was a lad." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. situation." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and wait." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden knowledge of the world." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen been able to understand it, in a very few words. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "None." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both this truth that in these little records of our cases which you our word." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one hour." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was a loud and authoritative tap. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Indeed! Whose, then?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make be best to do. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "And it is--" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you yards of it?' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an someone who had been in Australia." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; papers." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Lestrade of Scotland Yard." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently fasten all the windows?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his maid will bring up your coffee." will he say when he returns?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Yes, sir.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination.