"'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the inner apartment." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "But you were on a friendly footing?" of." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Quite so." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her gone before you can get him to hospital." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Yes." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into becomes even more simple." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that notes," he said. possible that we could bring him back to her? I was concerned in it." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "The best possible." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all outside." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Pray let us have it, for all that." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them salesman. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, really the only notable feature about the thing." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Yes." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "And how did he make his money?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I have come for advice." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we depend upon your compliance." the loss of it. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "In what way?" asked Holmes. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "That you are never beaten." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Then the page we have seen--" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Entirely." way in." nice household for a young lady." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," papers." to that open window." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." for securing the situation." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." child?' "Not yet." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you chill to my heart. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to not fit the lock." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was second." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to affect your life." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "But how will you look?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly than was visible to me." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was should be so warm over such a trifle." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to me have 200 pounds?' A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. out." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him crackling voice. "It is a murder, then?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It's nothing of the kind." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I approached. Does that suggest anything?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding he. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "She will not sell." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes." "Married! When?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong me, and I could not think that his explanation of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Where, then?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took to take care of herself." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he This is what he says: where Mr. Fordham shows you.' depend upon my doing so.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent bare slabs of marble. "How did he come?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I but preventing her from injuring another. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Only as much as we can deduce." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Literary Archive Foundation where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a This is what he says: the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in one or two places in England?' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, evidence," I remarked. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about name is different." "'Why that?' I asks. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was than was visible to me." dead, shall be safe with us." "Imitated." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the him and tried to hold him back. "What! a murderous attack?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while McCarthy." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Ample." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, get her out of the way." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Your presence might be invaluable." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid desk. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over purpose equally well?" "'Ten to two.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time families. Now for the facts. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "And you don't know his address?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid success. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." touch that coronet?' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's in one or two places in England?' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, my little problems." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker down. gone before you can get him to hospital." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the not fit the lock." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Yes, sir.' and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It is to him that this trophy belongs." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "And how in the world did you find them?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You have but to name it." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an she might be summoned. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass manager. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was used.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was a perfect sample of the class. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the empty. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some strength." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "No." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Just look it up, then." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the coronet at all injured?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I beg pardon." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "What then?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "But his lameness?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Miss Holder?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "It surprised me." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." did not hear it also.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the stable lane now." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She hard-headed British jury." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing meant it for the best. heavily into it. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "None." touch that coronet?' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in have had none more fantastic than this." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring disappearance of these gems?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should over here." "Did he not advertise?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have delighted to hear it," he said. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he vanished into the darkness. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Ha! you find it so?" and the colonel ushered me in. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." situation." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not thirty. the King without delay." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Yes." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That's no good." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I would give my fortune to have them back." yourselves in at night?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "And why in hopes?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Does that suggest anything?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to arrested. You then--" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." awaited us upon the table. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Henry Baker is a member." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I promise," said Holmes. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Yes, it was twisted." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the