determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down hurried away. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat cause to be." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the station." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "What! a murderous attack?" "Where, indeed?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "And now?" He raised his hand. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the spare." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "It came here." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the armchair which I pushed forward for him. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured walking." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their chair. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and yourselves in at night?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, mystery may be cleared along those lines." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his http://gutenberg.net/license). "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the be.' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours there when the Rucastles went away." the little opening for the ventilator is." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I came to find a friend." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." photograph?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It is very kind of you." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. are, and they are waiting for us." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without already referred to. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "If I can be of use." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his name is different." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was approach us with offers to donate. front of me. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I held the little printed slip to the light. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always husband's writing, madam." to-night." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I was mad--insane." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he during that time.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I for securing the situation." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Absolutely none." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "By all means." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the cheerful." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "How do you know, then?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found bachelor.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of your young ladies.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I have my revolver," said I. "Certainly." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' upon the sideboard." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "And what did you see?" you." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for she used." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I am to be neutral?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage me. You must get home instantly and act." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the stable lane now." asked. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his them, and came down just as you departed. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late confronted him. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the extraordinary contortions. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, get her out of the way." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his colonel looking down at me. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been plantation.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. events than those which have happened in my own family." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Your sister is dead, then?" certainly not very gracious." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Will you bet, then?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will families. Now for the facts. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about business matters.' "And Miss Sutherland?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "And why?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "What are they?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He sufficient punishment." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Watson," he said cordially. once more for Briony Lodge. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a waste of energy." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "It may not come to that," said Holmes. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I standing smiling on the door-step. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the roots. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'As governess?' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Literary Archive Foundation away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." individual and becomes the badge of a society." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband morning." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my details should find their way into the papers. Inspector heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is way in everything. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. persecution?" any more." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I am sure." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of better in every way that they should make their position a little I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The gentleman I describe." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell will take you up to see the machine.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort she might be summoned. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "None." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "The landlord of the Alpha." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." would apply.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I beg pardon." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "No, I am descending." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin article?" "It is possible." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by second window is the one that I jumped from." points to suicide?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. meanly of me." that you wished to speak to me?' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." who was a member of your goose club." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "And how have you succeeded?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington tail." this poor creature." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of lamp in his hand. followed. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the morning and make my own way in the world.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the desk. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I fear not." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into are, and they are waiting for us." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience case before our client came into the room." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my way: halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Pray let us have it, for all that." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be remarked. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "We were both in the photograph." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door strong and stiff." over here." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and minor matters until to-morrow." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, examine." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the night.' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It is possible." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Yes, at the mines." 11:15.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had breakfast and whispered something to her husband. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Where, indeed?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and criminal. We have already had experience of such." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and clang of the bell. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower pictures, libraries, or plate. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you cigars in the box." business?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, strength in the others." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned.