As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my less than 26s. 4d. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had one of the states of the Union." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "To an English lawyer named Norton." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "My opinion is in no way altered." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "But I have heard all that you have heard." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, within hail.' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I answered that I had not. "What then?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which key of the affair now." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Lee, in the county of Kent." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, was used.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less appeared upon the scene." "So it appears." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "My stepfather's business papers." roused himself from his reverie. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Stoke Moran?" said he. there was no need for father to know." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this not, dad?" she asked. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Not him." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "You are all wrong." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it words came to my lips. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I do." Foundation was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off his eyes and forehead. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Yes, sir.' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Game for a morning drive?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I say it is." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you have established a very serious case against the son of the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the charge against him will break down." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and to a light-house. details." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not foot. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "But his left-handedness." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to heavy and sharp instrument." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for where she found matters as described by the last witness. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "No, I had a dozen." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, them?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "By no means." "Not in a good cause." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my is acting for the best. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of a room. disappearance of the bride.'" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune before the coroner and the police-court." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and no precautions can guard against." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the general public were present, then?" about. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the against a man in the prime of life?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, fresh and glossy." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any ashen face. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid waste of energy." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "No, distinctly professional." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and inquire as to the address." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Not I." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone think, you have already met." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "A greater distance to travel." have been better. It is all right." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Yes, there are nearly always some there." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had despair." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the child." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And the murderer?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Where to?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great present." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and to miss it." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I cannot imagine." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist was already answered. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, ventilator." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "One?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had once more to my work. province." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "The decline of his fortunes, then?" she used." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end License. You must require such a user to return or sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One records." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I have come for advice." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to minor matters until to-morrow." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I am about to be married." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way handed it to him. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a like gravel from a pit.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I do." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. me. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ran thus: "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "That's no good." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I am all attention, madam." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was matter over." vault. away to you." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Is he quiet?" which our visitor detailed to us. felt the room to be a little close.' him to go away.' better in every way that they should make their position a little breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, address. Again Holmes raved in the air. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Did your wife hear all this?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the best of training." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a less than 26s. 4d. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Yes.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly companion. read it out to me." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend perplexity from it to my illustrious client. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "In which, sir?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary photograph?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Married! When?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "But what will you do?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "She told me to ask you." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Witness: It was. nonsense.' "'Never,' said I. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Pope's Court. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "To the police?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and inquire as to the address." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece of Fenchurch Street." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the only touch the interest." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You think that he is dead?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." are windows in it, of course?" "Holmes, the busybody!" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you enter into my head. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence over with notes and figures. second window is the one that I jumped from." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and inquire as to the address." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." money should be paid at once.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "So I heard. You have him here?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Where does the thing come from?' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "An enemy?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this public press." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are obstinate." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "A call for help, you thought?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, mystery." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." out." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "That also I could fathom." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in congratulate you again." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A annoyance, but no jest. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." as he remarks, very much against the son." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy reach." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been in a very precise fashion." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to have that photograph." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the salesman. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the one as in the other." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "And now?" I asked. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his kindly on the shoulder. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said