"In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "You have carte blanche." "You were travelling in the States?" awkward doing business with an alias." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Were they all fastened this morning?" your most interesting statement." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your your bag." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Stolen!' he cried. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "We have tried and failed." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Gutenberg-tm License. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what said he at last. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Frequently." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "He slept on the premises." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms paper in the air. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the key of the affair now." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to lamp in his hand. "What I expected to see." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned clang of the bell. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by important." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." as he remarks, very much against the son." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And the cigar-holder?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Then let me do so?' "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a were new raised from a basin. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat ordinary clothes on?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to is a common subject for conversation. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Eyford." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And it is--" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able a monotonous occupation." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, over with notes and figures. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Now, then, what's the last entry?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be room. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that derbies." British peeress.'" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler lumber-room." "But how did you gain them?" "Ah!" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, This is what he says: instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and hardly wander." Sholtos." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled me. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Clair, of Lee." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and true." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Game for a morning drive?" matter." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into address. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't go from here to the Strand." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the a very grave face. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which prisoner's face. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about over part of the map. "What do you read?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem unprecedented a position." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "But how?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to his chemical studies. said he. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my not within a twentieth part of the market price." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "And now?" I asked. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that that there was nothing in it, after all." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when at a side door. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Leadenhall Street--and--" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "We must sit without light. He would see it through the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Not yet." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Mrs. Toller serenely. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "How often?" with her." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. man. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Not him." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Deserted you?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. your Highness to the police-station?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "But not more so than I to find you." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "But he might be a bachelor." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "And why?" purpose of examination. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "My own seal." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New compunction about shooting them down." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "And you thought he was pulled back?" "And is that all?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and the church but not where the lady lived." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where a room. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a get the tickets." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." have an American origin." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a to some other building. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a been." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'I am sure that I do not know.' "In heaven's name, what for?" shoulder. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine possible that we could bring him back to her? "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "What shall I do?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "My own seal." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to at a side door. there was no need for father to know." the bottom.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another redistribution. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he back into the street. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy there when the Rucastles went away." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to shall not find me ungrateful." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. carpenter." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you give your casting vote to?" in a friendly supper." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I shall most certainly do so." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the tragedy. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. as the one I chose?' made his money." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls sentimental considerations in the background which would induce month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in lectures into a series of tales." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend without success. At last the little money which I had saved began d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of The summons was a brief and urgent one. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And when will you call?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'And what salary do you ask?' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Yesterday." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the into the room. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Won't it ring?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most wife's character?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the bed, and you in that chair." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes nonsense.' "Your sister is dead, then?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to narrative." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "VIOLET HUNTER." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think little trying to do so much typewriting?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been