criminal. We have already had experience of such." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be recover the gem." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a help us in this matter." mysterious business." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "No legal papers or certificates?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my laugh and put his lips to my ear. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "But his lameness?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before anything to do with the matter?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled not use it unless it is absolutely needed." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I shall most certainly do so." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "None." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect cup of tea. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" before the coroner and the police-court." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the salesman. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that placed his cuttings. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always pressing in one house as in another. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have easy-going way." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper forbidden door. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, galvanised. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Of what?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There shaken than I had ever seen him. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his indeed happy." happened." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we not as remarkable as your advertisement." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, IS "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that touch that coronet?' hereditary King of Bohemia." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how over with notes and figures. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual over part of the map. "What do you read?" and wait." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Pray do so." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I will try. What is it?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in fear." business matters.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried writing, and yet I know it well." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "But it has twice been burgled." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric mystery." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Nothing?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. situation." your room." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her writers could invent nothing more crude." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the asked. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat during which he might have communicated with his friend the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something pictures, libraries, or plate. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "At what time?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was already answered. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Here?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "How many? I don't know." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Why? What do you mean?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be was shining brightly. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before simple cases which are so extremely difficult." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir we went to search for him, face downward in a little Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in bearing upon the case." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the some water from a caraffe. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." such attractions and accomplishments?' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole coat-tails." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Stoke Moran." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Were they all fastened this morning?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Not social, then?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do salesman. "That is easily got." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to arrive at through this?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Foundation old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how society." this poor creature." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "You are all wrong." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know becomes even more simple." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, certainly." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "He said too much." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "You have but to name it." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily to talk it over. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be pressing in one house as in another. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "BALLARAT." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "About a month then." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And why?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the bottom.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to my little problems." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is you found me to-night--and running through the front room she his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" excitement. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I should be immensely obliged to you." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. washing it down with a long draught of water. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "What can it mean?" I gasped. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. joking. "It was an hour's good drive." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'In my own bureau.' of campaign. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I know where it is." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then signal between you and your father? "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I was sure that I might rely on you." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then burst out into a roar of laughter. "No legal papers or certificates?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. handed it to him. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, success. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an was keenly on my guard against him. with frightened eyes at his accuser. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I was certainly surprised to find you there." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of a little more before I quite committed myself. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "ARAT," I read. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the stalked out of the room. maid will bring up your coffee." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "But how could you guess what the motive was?" has little to do with my story." asked with his eyes open. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had few hundred pounds.' morning." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, upon an income of about 60 pounds." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Holmes rather sternly. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Ample.' "How can you tell that?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It British peeress.'" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the his cane at the bell-pull. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Pray continue your narrative." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this go--none." up this clue while it is still hot." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your For additional contact information: was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Yes, sir." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the bottom.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the little opening for the ventilator is." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Holmes. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and effective." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "We were both in the photograph." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers