away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "And how did you find out?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may emerged. evidence," I remarked. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their really the only notable feature about the thing." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Not I." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "No, I am descending." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, into the bag, and made for the door. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I should be immensely obliged to you." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, what these perils are?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Pope's Court. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what you for a few hours?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And I say east," said my patient. would then never go into court at all." so far?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put nothing of it?" been shamefully used." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid them, and came down just as you departed. you in yours." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "But you have hopes?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Precisely so. But how--" the station." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "No, distinctly professional." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by province." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and touch that coronet?' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the you understand?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "And how?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. written, and locked the door of the office after me. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the helping a boy to put up the shutters. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With your equipment. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; orange pips. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. he. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the colonel looking down at me. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Yes, sir.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man made his money." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting cost them two and thirty pounds." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." closely." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 'please.'" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk stood on the top of it. with you alone." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We stepfather?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "An accident, I presume?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the coroner come to?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile so.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the particular state visit http://pglaf.org some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could someone who had been in Australia." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every enter Dr. Roylott's room." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of detective. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." strode off upon his way. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "One of his hands." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous asked with his eyes open. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of particular state visit http://pglaf.org he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "You horrify me!" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. him nearly every evening." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to-morrow." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess wedding?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." indeed happy." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day get her out of the way." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this only touch the interest." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of fine shops and stately business premises that they really past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." envelope. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I leave." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was kind enough to tell me what I should do." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said pressing in one house as in another. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me already referred to. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. sofa. This way, please!" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at through." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Well, but China?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "How are you getting on?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What! Had he lost his wife?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "No, I think that I'll take it." "Yes." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "My last client of the sort was a king." the matter." if only as a check to my own memory." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own in this way: police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And Miss Sutherland?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "And help." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Yes, sir.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Nothing?" will he say when he returns?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and amused." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at good-night and bustled off upon her way. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. it." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin at home. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself yet." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; outside. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of Fenchurch Street." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? just called myself is not exactly my own." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of his shoulders. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour for its centre. "How did that help you?" least a most suspicious remark." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "ARAT," I read. will he say when he returns?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution at home. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Well?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous pictures, libraries, or plate. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Sutherland?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "On the contrary, this is the right side." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Not I." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "No sign of it?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I shall continue with my miserable story. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass upon the white wrist. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, himself in a perplexing position. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of were unconscious?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, pierced for earrings?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'Entirely.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she in one or two places in England?' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend hour." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. against a man in the prime of life?" "In heaven's name, what for?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set better in every way that they should make their position a little "But of what society?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day felt the room to be a little close.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'As governess?' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea right! Sit down and let us talk it over." second." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I any." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, was a lad." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I absorbing." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "You have but to name it." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have better in every way that they should make their position a little stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Is purely nominal.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I