"Holmes, the busybody!" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of the efforts of the United States government and of the better learned something! Where are the gems?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I think that I could be of assistance to you." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the Red-headed League." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to rooms." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" nothing with him." "There are none." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'And the work?' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "It missed him, then?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Game for a morning drive?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Frequently." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of recover the gem." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few recover the gem." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an persecution?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey it means?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can highroad, where all traces were lost. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Pray be precise as to details," said he. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "He is still with you, I presume?" It may be so in this case, also." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are which our visitor detailed to us. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and laid it on the table. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the heavily into it. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without views." to Leatherhead. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But how will you look?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so will take you up to see the machine.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared what is your own theory as to what took place?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the him nearly every evening." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "You are hungry," I remarked. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing awkward doing business with an alias." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a writer." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to said I. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You forget that I know nothing about it." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "What! You do not mean bodies?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Ah!" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That floor. lost his Christmas dinner." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note one else, I think." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it anything to do with the matter?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'There is a drive, then?' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond made his money." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head delirious. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." not as remarkable as your advertisement." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "But how?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole photograph?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. about here speaks of his kindness to him." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come before the coroner and the police-court." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Eyford at 11:15.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some writer." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'Most admirably.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes, all." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes meant it for the best. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at nights." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. taking in every detail of the apartment. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." quite distinctive." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "He might." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I see no marks." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Upon what point?" "Who was the criminal, then?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and all of them with the keenest interest. sooner or later she must fall a victim. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City into her hand at the door and which lured her within their eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was used.' conceal it?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we again." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: little trying to do so much typewriting?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle village inn over there?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to have been novel and of interest." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after disappearance of these gems?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. your sleep?' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "He said too much." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a new duties?' "Entirely." and looked back. to Leatherhead. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when man. I know him from the photograph." "I see no marks." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional him to be an active member of the medical profession." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I would give my fortune to have them back." weary and pale-looking. his forehead." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Thank you. And your address?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission been shamefully used." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Stolen, then." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'About the same.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his congenial hunt. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been my former friend and companion. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I will do it." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "It is his hat." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing with her." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and I shall be with you presently." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I asked with his eyes open. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few one which it was hard to resist. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I beg pardon." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'I am sure if I had known--' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that placed his cuttings. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I cannot say that I have." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I am following you closely," I answered. learned something! Where are the gems?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "And sit in the dark?" such person." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'Yes, sir.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'Yes, it was gone.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. McCarthy's innocence. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away him to go away.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Surrey." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Nothing." introspective fashion. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I hour?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others London for the present?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" shoulder. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all see a sister of mine apply for." ourselves in the office." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hour?' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Perhaps I have." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'What then?' I asked. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, for its centre. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on tail." business in the City. She little knew what. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his