passage and a tap at the door. mysterious end." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at all?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see my room." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, orange pips. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "What?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I am about to be married." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It missed him, then?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I have it here in my museum." "And now?" He raised his hand. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, forebodings. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Have you her photograph?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Ha! you find it so?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must James Windibank. Voilà tout!" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Yes, sir.' had this final quarrel? though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon during which he might have communicated with his friend the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the loss of it. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could dramatic, in fact." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and which our visitor detailed to us. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sit on the left-hand side of the driver." constraint." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "9th. McCauley cleared. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I have seen the police." sparkled upon his finger. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against any more." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt front of me. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "He disappeared so suddenly." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to discontent upon his features. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen are, and they are waiting for us." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and delighted to hear it," he said. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I say it is." asked with his eyes open. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you you found me to-night--and running through the front room she observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the article?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, gone. "A call for help, you thought?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But the mystery?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." success. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "When did it break out?" lumber-room." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I would pay ten." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. himself to tell his story. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Just look it up, then." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate gigantic client. stood on the top of it. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Is purely nominal.' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" was a loud and authoritative tap. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father nights." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which his forehead." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that ourselves in the office." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to McCarthy." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. if only as a check to my own memory." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since there were one or two details which were new to me. But the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, said I. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, thirty. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send strode off upon his way. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the night.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And sit in the dark?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes, all." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you depend upon your compliance." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as soul! here is her carriage at the door." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here go back?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all acted in my house last night?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "None." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the tail." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And what then?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my be there in time for your coming." morning." our word." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside not interfere, come what may. You understand?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that important." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he morning." "In the cells." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily your bag." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered arrangements." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the have one." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The doctor?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. depend upon my doing so.' sofa. This way, please!" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the tragedy. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Have you it here?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to seven miles from Eyford Station.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. official police." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Witness: It was. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and straightened it out again. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had retorted upon me, and I on you." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a this remarkable episode. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I cannot imagine." conduct the inquiry." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "My dear Holmes!" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to friend's singular character. said he at last. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, status with the IRS. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to even of instruction." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I beg pardon." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "In the cells." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a over with notes and figures. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Again Holmes raved in the air. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "You think so, too?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Was she in good spirits?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Street. felt the room to be a little close.' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to do.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." answered with a sidelong glance. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Henry Baker is a member." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, heavy and sharp instrument." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the notes," he said. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Will you go?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me him. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped as yours." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek habit of advancing money.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You horrify me." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. rooms." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the rose-bushes. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away few hundred pounds.' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property retorted upon me, and I on you." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with main points of my analysis." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had in. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the fuss that is made over them." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'What do you call purely nominal?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father ago." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was not a bird to be seen there. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "What! Had he lost his wife?" to affect your life." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young