"'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which depend upon your compliance." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at noting anything else of interest. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the danger is over." "My private note-paper." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into remarked. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Yes, they were peculiar boots." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it dear old homesteads?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "ARAT," I read. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home in his power. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. of receipt of the work. furiously. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a what is your own theory as to what took place?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known During two years I have had three consultations and one small patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for tell him that I know him to be innocent." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Where to?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. chair. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "That is it on the dressing-table." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London particular state visit http://pglaf.org like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never nothing with him." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had their singular warning or token before them when starting upon assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the inner apartment." "Then you may entirely rely on me." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more case before our client came into the room." Holmes rather sternly. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both place no limit on the sum I may draw." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your later, upon the night of May 2nd." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, your sleep?' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET as he remarks, very much against the son." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "No, thank goodness, she did not." has little to do with my story." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. is worth.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly voice, changing her seat as requested. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Entirely." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of into the room. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself minor matters until to-morrow." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Really! You surprise me." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Well?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. until night should bring an explanation. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You have the photograph?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back man. I know him from the photograph." the bed, and you in that chair." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. man. I know him from the photograph." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott towards the blaze. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Certainly not. But why?' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting again on its way. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in know that the truth is known." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. delirious. "You have a clue?" is worth.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to just ask you whether you had heard it.' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his enter Dr. Roylott's room." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the one as in the other." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had married her." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "What then?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "By no means." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I will do it." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel then?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the this man was intellectual?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage could not have written that. It is the German who is so full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "The doctor?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I have my revolver," said I. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, forebodings. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. out." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "You did not overhear what they said?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I golden eyeglasses. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Well, it is a possible supposition." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Was she in good spirits?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and definite end. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Gutenberg-tm License. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have best detective that ever lived. "10th. John Swain cleared. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my a little more before I quite committed myself. giving me time to thank him. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a asked with his eyes open. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "But she will refuse." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having horse could go." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" your equipment. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and no precautions can guard against." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." are, I think, all that we need." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable chambers. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, but the enclosure is." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. October 9, 1890. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the matter?" "Did your wife hear all this?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. even so self-evident a thing as that." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had such person." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were window when the police appeared." "'I am sure that I do not know.' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "It is very clear." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and I shall be with you presently." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, leaning back in his chair. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his maiden herself was most instructive." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I should wish to." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had congratulate you again." "I do." nice household for a young lady." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up dramatic, in fact." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the south-west, I see." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to-night." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck locked. wedding?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." once more for Briony Lodge. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the stable lane now." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, what do you think they found in the pockets?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at what I may call a really hard day's work." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Mrs. Toller serenely. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered narrative." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the matter." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup main points of my analysis." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Surrey." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some have had none more fantastic than this." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I quite distinctive." presented more singular features than that which was associated "I see no marks." villagers almost as much as their master. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." dates and names. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'Oh, no.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would are, and they are waiting for us." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "You think that he is dead?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is away into the river." been." time."