"I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "A thing like a cleaver," said he. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with quick march!" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of bill, which interests me deeply." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, you." to-night?' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and past. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I have seen the police." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I think that I had better go, Holmes." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a skylight. "He said that you could solve anything." himself to tell his story. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, again, where I was soon asleep. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls later, upon the night of May 2nd." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Clair, of Lee." depend upon my doing so.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "And on what day did he meet his death?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Pray tell us what has happened to you." eavesdroppers?' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on when you have done it." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I have a cab outside." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" for and were ordered to this address. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" congratulate you again." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria in your London, you will know that the office of the company is must compliment you." "Yesterday." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the Friday. Was it to be in church?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Very well, sir. And this stone?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So both be extremely obliged.' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Dr. Becher's." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I cannot imagine." "Do you know him?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Did he not advertise?" present." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "It is no ordinary one." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Texas, I think." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his extraordinary contortions. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "A confidential servant?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'You cannot say what it was?' and wait." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at upon the white wrist. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. morning." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland this remarkable episode. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I are, and they are waiting for us." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the friend's singular character. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote promised to bring home. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "But you would not advise me to refuse?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "No, I had a dozen." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "And I." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." about here speaks of his kindness to him." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last learned something! Where are the gems?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Of what?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." voice, changing her seat as requested. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I should wish to." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I am following you closely," I answered. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, think, you have already met." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Certainly." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait narrative." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been for its centre. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. me upon any point which I do not make clear." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You think that he is dead?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. which our visitor detailed to us. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The my friend's incisive reasoning. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And what then?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't side. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that stammered. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself The events in question occurred in the early days of my man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "This photograph!" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been extraordinary contortions. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know there has been an enclosure here!" "One of the highest in England." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you that you wished to speak to me?' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "In the cells." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which habit of advancing money.' careless servant girl?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "But the mystery?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. you in yours." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked client, rising. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the dangers which encompass me." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I washing it down with a long draught of water. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing written. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "No, distinctly professional." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just heavy and sharp instrument." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the room?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, conclusions. breakfast." were wasted." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and been shamefully used." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his his face. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly there is a decided draught." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and have this put in the evening papers." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, with some details as to your case." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I advice." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Street. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback which it had come upon my father." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was late." "And leave your case unfinished?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, interests were the same as his." "I think it very unlikely." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "What do you make of that, Watson?" next day. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to horse could go." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this arms and began to sob in a high treble key. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even do you make of it all?" "Just look it up, then." the house with me." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project maiden herself was most instructive." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I shall be delighted." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about never to learn it at all." way in." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by come either from the window or the door. My attention was your troubles." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Won't it ring?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and what is your own theory as to what took place?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'You doubt its value?' he asked. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work drove away. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "The best possible." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many upon the white wrist. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Dirty?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It is possible." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I congenial hunt. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Very. But will he see it?" second." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Then you may entirely rely on me." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps seen the man in the road." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, be. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I beg pardon." whole matter to your consideration." "Yes. He waved his hands." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Never.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Why did you pick him?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Really! You surprise me." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing States. maid will bring up your coffee." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view politicians who had been sent down from the North. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check putting in the horse. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I following enigmatical notices: but preventing her from injuring another. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I do." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the when you have done it." made his money." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," you." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put would apply.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting dead, shall be safe with us." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped