people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to will be renamed. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian coroner's jury." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other strange features which were associated with the two crimes which hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the have established a very serious case against the son of the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in seven miles from Eyford Station.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "My opinion is in no way altered." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I am to be neutral?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position in the port of London." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase outbreak?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' spark where all is dark to me." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Yes, certainly." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Does that suggest anything?" colonel looking down at me. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, where we are going." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Surrey." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Nothing." the coronet in his hand?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: touch that coronet?' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. his face. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in this way: quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper companion quietly. do." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "It surprised me." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Very murderous indeed." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "How are you getting on?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a hurried by. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary overpowering excitement and concern. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to shaken than I had ever seen him. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford to tell." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply weary and pale-looking. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice least a most suspicious remark." "I guessed as much." "And that is--" behind me. forbidden door. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Heh?' key turn in the lock." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to What do you deduce from it?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, a little more before I quite committed myself. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Have you it here?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague down. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Oh, fresh and glossy." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an what do you think they found in the pockets?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "She told me to ask you." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the read over the extraordinary announcement. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to than was visible to me." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare is now desirous of getting those letters back." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." people in all walks of life. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought out." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then you may be so with me." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, with the outside air!" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to appeal." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Mrs. Toller serenely. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is writer." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "My photograph." from you?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light have not had my rubber." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Stolen, then." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered been shamefully used." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a highly," said Holmes. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The doctor?" photograph?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Was he the only applicant?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be yards of it?' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "No?" galvanised. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There singular points about the case. What did the police think of the go from here to the Strand." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought are windows in it, of course?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Murdered?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend over with notes and figures. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental him. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all seven miles from Eyford Station.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should strong and stiff." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found it." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do October 9, 1890. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this wedding?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight one of the states of the Union." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain conceal it?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered husband's writing, madam." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Just look it up, then." fluttered off among the others. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Then the page we have seen--" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I will be renamed. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" your only hope of safety." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith whole matter to your consideration." This is what he says: Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Which are?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Nothing." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of if I call to-morrow?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing get her out of the way." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah call for it in person on Monday morning.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "That sounds a little paradoxical." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the see a sister of mine apply for." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained unprofitable." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the very letters. But what is this written above them?' careless servant girl?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a charged with?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the bell. Holmes whistled. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled unkempt, staring out at me. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, morning." horse could go." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before chemical work which was so dear to him. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in quickly through a disagreeable task. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'What do you call purely nominal?' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and the colonel ushered me in. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. miles off. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "What, then?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And that is--" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you want, then?' "Yes, sir." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It is his hat." "'Where to?' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite neither fascinating nor artistic." "That was it, sir." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You heard nothing yourself last night?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Entirely.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" photograph?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the Assizes." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a should be taken.' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a IS garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Was your sister dressed?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he evidence," I remarked. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "How on earth--"