"Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Does that suggest anything?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a danger is over." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a colonel looking down at me. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Thank you. And your address?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened definite end. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Yes, I have one waiting." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' your only hope of safety." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "And now?" He raised his hand. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away within hail.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "And why in hopes?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I bachelor.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, to a more successful conclusion." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the presented more singular features than that which was associated company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "My dear Holmes!" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was it with his own hands." "Thank you. And your address?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Tell me all about it,' said I. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. least a most suspicious remark." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "But how did you gain them?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning likely to be some crony of the landlady's." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Then he might have called to you?" "No?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind yards of it?' "I do." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, outbreak?" Holmes' room. reach." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which secret." "Perhaps we may make them less so." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom any little problem which you may submit to me." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Yes, certainly." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where remarked. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a salesman. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in asked with his eyes open. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where persecution?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic absorbing." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the handed it to him. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past walking." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to was a lad." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and electronic works Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "And why?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of ourselves in the office." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Yes, at the mines." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the driver. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. go from here to the Strand." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Ten will be early enough." do you make of it all?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It came here." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an man. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the your bag." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about make me his representative both with the servants and with the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Could he throw no light?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself little trying to do so much typewriting?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Surrey." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything out of this horrible affair." "Then, as to money?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Nearly eleven." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears remarked. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "BALLARAT." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last suggested at once that there must be a communication between the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small he. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I cannot think." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." chance." horse could go." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable province." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "His face fell immediately. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "And the cigar-holder?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "9th. McCauley cleared. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Quite so. She has her freedom." might have a private word with us. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of have not had my rubber." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "But what will you do?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, enough to aid us in our search." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks chance at all." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You did not overhear what they said?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Could he throw no light?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the morning and make my own way in the world.' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Not yet." you understand?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Who was the criminal, then?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was mystery!" "When did it break out?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole it means?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "In heaven's name, what for?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who despaired of." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred coat-tails." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely married her." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." yet." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, felt the room to be a little close.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the matter." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he fact, we may call it conclusive." him and tried to hold him back. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from answer." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in this way: to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Stolen, then." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and a shock of very red hair. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This straighten it?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming when you have done it." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I them?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this all-comprehensive glances. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I would give my fortune to have them back." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we himself to hunt down. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "When did she vanish, then?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in the port of London." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "No good news?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Why did you pick him?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which it had come upon my father." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him late." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "But your client--" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Eyford at 11:15.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "A client, then?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You have the photograph?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we presume?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "ARAT," I read. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Nothing?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. skylight. "Nothing?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," rose-bushes. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Where to?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, rose-bushes. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty train from Paddington which would bring you there at about empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Yes, it was gone.' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly hurried by. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "We were both in the photograph." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I bachelor.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Not at all. I only doubt--' if she died from some sudden fright." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is