neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with dramatic, in fact." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the coronet at all injured?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." next day. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean question. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'And what salary do you ask?' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And that is--" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? suspect him." best detective that ever lived. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. mysterious business." dear old homesteads?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "You have but to name it." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "The knees of his trousers." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to his chemical studies. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I was mad--insane." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots entirely lost his self-respect." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." bedroom door." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' this Miss Turner." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Yes, it would be as well." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa himself to hunt down. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. power." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought only touch the interest." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "There is the writing." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I guessed as much." "Deserted you?" retorted upon me, and I on you." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Stoke Moran?" said he. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a how narrow had been my escape. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Street. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you your co-operation." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Will you go?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "And what then?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Very murderous indeed." "By all means." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Upon what point?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men good-night and bustled off upon her way. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the very morning of the wedding." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "It is very kind of you." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Dr. Becher's." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Then, as to money?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of my special province." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has instituted." his knees, staring into the fire. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Was there a secret marriage?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." me have 200 pounds?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Thank you. And your address?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." redistribution. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "And who is her maid?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with it with his own hands." "'I shall certainly be there.' therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words one else, I think." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated 1.E.9. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I felt the room to be a little close.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Dr. Becher's." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never what these perils are?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would closing the door. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "At half-wages, in fact." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. before the coroner and the police-court." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "But what is it you wish?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such drove away. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "What then?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You know me, then?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Well?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It surprised me." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like later, upon the night of May 2nd." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her nonsense.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. do." might help us?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. that I am arrested." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from London for the present?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Always." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination http://gutenberg.net/license). controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Precisely so. But how--" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a forecastle of an emigrant ship. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, weapon." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and washing it down with a long draught of water. "No, I think that I'll take it." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no chill to my heart. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Yes, I have one waiting." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Eyford at 11:15.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. extraordinary contortions. "I am in hopes that she does." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "The vanishing of the lady." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming quite distinctive." "No, distinctly professional." the bottom.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that past. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary sit on the left-hand side of the driver." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to affect your life." "That is not always so easy." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are discontent upon his features. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Here?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the to me. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased o'clock is it?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. name is different." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when system of imprisonment?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door bachelor.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "And how in the world did you find them?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination weighed down with some great anxiety. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From been with you?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "But what will you do?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and inquire as to the address." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from empty. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and laid it on the table. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Edgeware Road. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I know where it is." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'Ten to two.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Did you observe the colour?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Certainly not.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Where could I find him?' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the individual and becomes the badge of a society." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it were putty." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, his eyes and forehead. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by make me his representative both with the servants and with the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your third from London." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" events than those which have happened in my own family." "Will you bet, then?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the not personally threatened." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it obstinate." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by giving me time to thank him. "Here?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I don't believe it." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on