Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And the murderer?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project invisible to me," I remarked. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" 11:15.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I shall be delighted." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I weapon." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the awkward doing business with an alias." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I strong and stiff." up this clue while it is still hot." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major annoyance, but no jest. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying stepfather?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in was feeling which was the fattest.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with whole matter to your consideration." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and bare slabs of marble. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Yes." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. said he. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Is he quiet?" yards of it?' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray despaired of." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Won't it ring?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. new duties?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "How are you getting on?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And you thought he was pulled back?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" noble correspondent could be. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' you." "Then I do not see the point." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. speckled band?" "'Never,' said I. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I touch that coronet?' remarked. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Where does the thing come from?' "Proceed, then." "Why did you pick him?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come highly," said Holmes. "Perhaps I have." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone during which he might have communicated with his friend the said he. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the companion. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Pray tell us what has happened to you." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "We must have a cab." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Who was the criminal, then?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her lamp in his hand. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to affection." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Yes, only one." it were putty." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "What do you mean?" appeal." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common indiscretion." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" morning." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able charge against him will break down." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. eat it." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by a suggestive one." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like of the vacancies.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is little trying to do so much typewriting?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it who was a member of your goose club." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good he bowed and left the room without another word. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "When did it break out?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "My stepfather's business papers." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and have this put in the evening papers." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Edgeware Road. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the leaning back in his chair. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in one or two places in England?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'Never,' said I. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the power." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Pray be precise as to details," said he. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with some details as to your case." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I nodded again. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But of what society?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Yes, that is the Crown." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. tension within him. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Your sister is dead, then?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, is a common subject for conversation. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they yards of it?' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Sholtos." digesting their breakfasts at home." the Assizes." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the for securing the situation." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "There is the writing." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. salesman. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are nights." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "But the mystery?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. best detective that ever lived. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet one which it was hard to resist. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project could not have written that. It is the German who is so the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can indeed happy." without a word or a look. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have records." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Will you go?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the window, rose as we entered. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I cannot tell." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It and it need not interfere very much with one's other "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. what I may call a really hard day's work." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last meant." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to-night?" I asked. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in certainly do as you advise." them?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I have my revolver," said I. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that way in." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your certainly not very gracious." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I fear not." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the inquest, and which are worth considering." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I am following you closely," I answered. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a few minutes he said that it would be all right. foresight and the moral retrogression?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second better grown goose." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I have a cab outside." to a more successful conclusion." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the child." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Just look it up, then." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the little opening for the ventilator is." round with crates and massive boxes. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty never came back." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a emerged. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely down in his armchair and closing his eyes. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, grasp, he hurried from the room. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to talk it over. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I your most interesting statement." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "What! You do not mean bodies?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might that you saw all that I did." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Never,' said I. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "The best possible." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Deserted you?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Sutherland. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of breakfast?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter searched, without anything being found which could incriminate He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you them?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "No." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "And how did you find out?" "Witness: I must still refuse. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' compunction about shooting them down." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." companion. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Is 4 pounds a week.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. me. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the