"'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Yes, but only for you and me." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of pictures, libraries, or plate. than to us. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his are windows in it, of course?" "Breckinridge is his name." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had once more. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But we can't all be." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method round and wave him away like that.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard extraordinary contortions. locked. "Yes, he did." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There nonsense.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying him nearly every evening." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how stammered. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I shall communicate with you." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'And what are they worth?' I asked. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the date of his supposed suicide." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's their singular warning or token before them when starting upon man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, leaning back in his chair. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called go from here to the Strand." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Nearly eleven." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain place, I think that there is good ground to think that the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were writers could invent nothing more crude." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the papers must be those that are destroyed.' "No, but the enclosure is." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody key turn in the lock." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the do you make of it all?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my forbidden door. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, bearing upon the case." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "But how will you look?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been you understand?" there was no need for father to know." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who had a long day." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in minor matters until to-morrow." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "No bad?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much crime. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly train.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, answered with a sidelong glance. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" disappearance of the bride.'" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked that, and I came down." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I shall be delighted." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Perhaps I have." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in you for a few hours?" the roots. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is But Holmes shook his head gravely. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Holmes." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "How on earth--" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very that I may have something better before very many minutes are floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush over with notes and figures. him." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some The King stared at him in amazement. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Witness: I must still refuse. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and effective." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back it." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the 'please.'" "He said that you could solve anything." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Never,' said I. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that my room." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. in his power. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "And what then?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." yet." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a me where it went to?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "He disappeared so suddenly." charged with?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that advice." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his grey eyes. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have despair." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you hereditary King of Bohemia." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "That was it, sir." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple direction." light and attacked it." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your detective. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple bled considerably." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Cross for the Continent." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Where could I find him?' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "You have carte blanche." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Your French gold?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said business in the City. She little knew what. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." occupations.' "Yes." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are crackling voice. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you, my dear young lady?' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'A dozen yards or so.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And now?" I asked. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very you do it in twenty minutes!' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Will you bet, then?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." head. So long, then!" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us straightened it out again. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had point our research must commence, and we will begin it by belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I think it very unlikely." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Have you her photograph?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Certainly not.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to his chemical studies. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I could go. envelope. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a see a sister of mine apply for." "Was there a secret marriage?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of figure." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for ventilator." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I am armed." once more for Briony Lodge. your troubles." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "VIOLET HUNTER." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. desk. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until if only as a check to my own memory." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad retorted upon me, and I on you." enough to aid us in our search." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "On your arm?" "That is not always so easy." his eyes and forehead. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of your young ladies.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Very murderous indeed." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have very morning of my second wedding." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The paper in the air. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms appeared upon the scene." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the front of me. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the tragedy. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly photograph?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "None." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Was the window open?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little client, rising. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a nonsense.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it go--none." "None." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Was she in good spirits?" there!' imbecility!" he cried. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a shall use the carriage to-night." investigation." "Never." been able to understand it, in a very few words. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, colour had been driven from his face. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but beg that you will break it off." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as back to my heart. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to so.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had dates and names. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes.