"Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to Leatherhead. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood opened a pocket-book and took out a note. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Did he not advertise?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself his face. direction." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or conversation I have gathered that they have been married about sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Was your sister dressed?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the general public were present, then?" second." the morning and make my own way in the world.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have an American origin." prepare for the new role I have to play." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Which dealer's?' What do you deduce from it?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out him. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I have seen the police." coroner's jury." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned is acting for the best. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "A greater distance to travel." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "And why?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the unkempt, staring out at me. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as be.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall province." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he visitors." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather 11:15.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the read over the extraordinary announcement. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a lips." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Proceed, then." the morning and make my own way in the world.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the little trying to do so much typewriting?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Yes, they were peculiar boots." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a very grave face. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet future lives." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'In my own bureau.' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to your sleep?' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie clanging. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Very good.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "But not more so than I to find you." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in his power. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and a shock of very red hair. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Married! When?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face to miss it." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Ah!" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform fact, we may call it conclusive." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, in his hands." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "So I have heard." you." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who locked." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Nothing." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "So I have heard." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a then?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "That is not always so easy." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now them, and came down just as you departed. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Not social, then?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains simple cases which are so extremely difficult." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking existence." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." lost his Christmas dinner." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. ordinary clothes on?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in mysterious end." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "And now?" He raised his hand. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "By all means." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance present." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be returned to France?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "A client, then?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see questioning and rather startled gaze. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up entirely devoid of interest." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "We have tried and failed." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. feature." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high happened." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to me. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we words came to my lips. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Were they all fastened this morning?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Precisely so. But how--" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a I nodded to show that I had heard. "I shall be delighted." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to page at http://pglaf.org and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I think that it is very probable." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Could he throw no light?" entirely devoid of interest." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you cigars in the box." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. open." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." father's place of business?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your voice. have not had my rubber." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and all of them with the keenest interest. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is think you a quite exceptional woman." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Yes, certainly." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life not fit the lock." strength of mind to control. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before corner of the building. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Perhaps I have." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Very good.' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I held up the lantern and gazed about him. ways of our fellow-men." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." indeed happy." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one just ask you whether you had heard it.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a at home. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I say that I have solved it." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the coronet in his hands?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off only touch the interest." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between remarked. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran skylight. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "What can you not understand?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' my friend's incisive reasoning. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he his grey eyes. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'And the work?' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices 'please.'" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "And help." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he I approached. before the coroner and the police-court." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is invisible to me," I remarked. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, certainly not very gracious." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I say that I have solved it." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have keep the flames under. "How about poison?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his question," said Holmes, smiling. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story said he at last. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction." if she died from some sudden fright." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small was not a bird to be seen there. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "One of his hands." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "When did it break out?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You don't mind breaking the law?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has returning from some small jollification and was making his way whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. in his hands." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the Assizes." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter should be so warm over such a trifle." chill to my heart. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and it need not interfere very much with one's other the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a few hundred pounds.' one of them." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not showing my impatience. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. never will be, entirely cleared up. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his murdered man." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic your Highness to the police-station?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is she might be summoned. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of his shoulders. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "How many? I don't know." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to