about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from done what I asked you, Jones?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Witness: Nothing definite. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "None." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. roused himself from his reverie. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of sofa. This way, please!" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his dates and names. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. late!' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the ceiling. became a certainty. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had sufficient punishment." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" outbreak?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "You have a clue?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Do you know him?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the dangers which encompass me." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "What! a murderous attack?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yes." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Yes. He waved his hands." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fashion which was peculiar to him. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Ten to two.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand posted to-day." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood she to prove their authenticity?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, said he. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and straighten it?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be with frightened eyes at his accuser. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I should wish to." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Why, what do you mean?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that you." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their His smile broadened. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with himself. gone. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, definite end. Sholtos." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another door?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to way in everything. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its relation between them, and what the object of his repeated never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I delirious. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'What are you doing there?' he asked. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that asked with his eyes open. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "My last client of the sort was a king." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his of it with the greatest attention. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which it." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon His smile broadened. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. one's self under obligations.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from was not a bird to be seen there. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his take the flies, but not before." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., comes from the middle window." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a exactly what you advise." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes. He waved his hands." purpose of examination. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. over with notes and figures. intrusion of other matters." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Sutherland. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid back into the street. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "On your arm?" "None. Neville wrote those words." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" cost them two and thirty pounds." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" think that any burglar could have done. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I know where it is." next day. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the little opening for the ventilator is." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their emerged. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "BALLARAT." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Your sister is dead, then?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought McCarthy." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Well?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. you, my dear young lady?' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But conversation I have gathered that they have been married about knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the room while you explain this matter?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'I have heard so.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Then I do not see the point." new acquaintance to Baker Street. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers recover the gem." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of the one which your family is now devouring." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'Tell me all about it,' said I. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and no precautions can guard against." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I true." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Then, as to money?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Was the window open?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'Is purely nominal.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "What of the rat, then?" man. I know him from the photograph." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "He might." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'You cannot say what it was?' may have an influence upon European history." "Not in a good cause." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Of Friday, June 19th." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. father's place of business?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Of what?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear one's self under obligations.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" tightly behind him. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It certainly sounds feasible." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "In heaven's name, what for?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling stammered. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "On your arm?" October 9, 1890. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Sutherland. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I am still in the dark." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Never." dear old homesteads?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" hair?' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to This is what he says: strength in the others." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and