of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. papers." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to prison!" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's made his money." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "So it appears." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "VIOLET HUNTER." himself. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Sholtos." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had six. Come in!" "Yesterday." "Precisely." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "And the murderer?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting means taking possession of that which another person has a prior But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Sutherland. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'And the work?' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to change my dress. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not letters?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too so far?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. me. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook figure." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which again, where I was soon asleep. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually considering the formidable letters which were received by himself red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "No, I am descending." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Then the page we have seen--" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "What do you make of that, Watson?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a The events in question occurred in the early days of my rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, my former friend and companion. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." could go. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been several quiet little villages up there." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution soul! here is her carriage at the door." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "It's nothing of the kind." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as IS and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very opened a pocket-book and took out a note. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done your own bird, so if you wish--" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I don't say that. Perhaps." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "What can you not understand?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that threaten you." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the station." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my could gather together that I was able to avert another public whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Thank you. And your address?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." my room." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Have you it here?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My answered with a sidelong glance. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then were wasted." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or back alive. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You have the photograph?" It may be so in this case, also." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with door?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing keep the flames under. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face least a fellow-countryman. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my friend's incisive reasoning. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I cannot tell." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present his wife has ceased to love him." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and capable of preserving a secret.' interests were the same as his." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. eavesdroppers?' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a had formerly been in part my own. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "None." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Will you go?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the very morning of the wedding." in this way: "It is to him that this trophy belongs." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than had picked up in the wood. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Always." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, reach." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But he might be a bachelor." mysterious business." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more imbecility!" he cried. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I am all attention, madam." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Did your wife hear all this?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the nice household for a young lady." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his redistribution. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Edgeware Road. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "What have you done?" asked Holmes. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "How did you trace it, then?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, coat-tails." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you not personally threatened." felt the room to be a little close.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My annoyance, but no jest. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." but preventing her from injuring another. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" it means?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his back into the street. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the locked. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "You have compromised yourself seriously." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "By all means." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day occurred." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "To ruin me." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Yes, he did." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "But how?" "But what harm can there be in that?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning photograph?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I will, Miss Turner." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And that is--" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and promised to bring home. ago." "Was he the only applicant?" Henry Baker is a member." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I own family. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Of Friday, June 19th." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Cross for the Continent." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a this man was intellectual?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded cause to be." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Frequently." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not purpose equally well?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to distinguish the words: "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our handed it to him. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' never came back." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "But how?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each good-night and bustled off upon her way. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "What have you to say now?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own enough to aid us in our search." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "But we can't all be." furiously. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Nothing." "And the cigar-holder?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that License. You must require such a user to return or morning." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, of the way of danger. results." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize to take care of herself." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in for its centre. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Farm upon the left." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Yes, that is the Crown." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I promise," said Holmes. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp ashen face. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very I leave." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable