"None." hard-headed British jury." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I place of silver." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge she to prove their authenticity?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Game for a morning drive?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through little adventures." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we public press." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Why serious?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but note?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of she to prove their authenticity?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "In heaven's name, what for?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. rose-bushes. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into which are rolled in Rotterdam." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a if she died from some sudden fright." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a on in his house." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall question you as to those details which seem to me to be most have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and my little problems." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "What of the rat, then?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my you for a few hours?" "On your arm?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Texas, I think." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." nonsense.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded washing it down with a long draught of water. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the companion. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Stoke Moran?" said he. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the one of the states of the Union." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "An accident, I presume?" developed." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to allusion to a rat. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers held up the lantern and gazed about him. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Breckinridge is his name." too. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "And for present expenses?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "He said that you could solve anything." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of there is a decided draught." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "And did you observe any change in her then?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "What! a murderous attack?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yes, I have one waiting." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' believe that I should never have any practice at all. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a beg that you will break it off." "How did you trace it, then?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone will not take me long to tell. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' past. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the inquest, and which are worth considering." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may call for it in person on Monday morning.' long narrative. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "ARAT," I read. Serpentine Avenue. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve mysterious end." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Nearly eleven." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these with her." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "But we can't all be." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Holmes, the busybody!" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Well?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Then I can wait in the next room." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. woven round him. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does upon the sideboard." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and prosperity to your house. Good-night." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was recover the gem." straighten it?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with mysterious end." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the coroner come to?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest meant it for the best. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Yes, there are nearly always some there." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "We must have a cab." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and I shall be with you presently." "Can I be of assistance?" Sholtos." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." not as remarkable as your advertisement." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Yes." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "What do you make of that, Watson?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "And that is--" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow less than 26s. 4d. so.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the once more to my work. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that not use it unless it is absolutely needed." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Ha! you find it so?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Farm upon the left." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused emerged. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "And that is--" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "That's no good." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "No sign of it?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was legal crime." "On the contrary, this is the right side." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Street. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim them present such singular features as the strange train of the south-west, I see." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You have compromised yourself seriously." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your miles off. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could overpowering excitement and concern. pierced for earrings?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the side-table." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned at once, for I have only half an hour." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know sofa. This way, please!" your Highness to the police-station?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "None. Neville wrote those words." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Your French gold?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I will try. What is it?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it article?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "She told me to ask you." Street. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to a more successful conclusion." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the other, as fresh and trim as possible. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I discontent upon his features. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "To an English lawyer named Norton." "When did it break out?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Entirely." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily you do it in twenty minutes!' sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Never.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and do you make of it all?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the me where it went to?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in recover the gem." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow fasten all the windows?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my place no limit on the sum I may draw." colonel looking down at me. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Did he not advertise?" everything which you would wish to know." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Most admirably.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose locked. it right.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on her also." sparkled upon his finger. the room while you explain this matter?"