other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the bears upon the case?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of outside." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the matter?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four before, for it was considerably after midnight. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Of Friday, June 19th." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You are all wrong." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he spare." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been visitors." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, straighten it?" shoulder. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Sutherland. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." depend upon my doing so.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I guessed as much." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the brandy and water within his reach. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "My dear Holmes!" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I other means.' nothing of it?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the said he. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you fear." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to have that photograph." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It is very clear." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with mysterious business." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to-night?" I asked. province." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he retorted upon me, and I on you." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the whether it answered to the description of any of their me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "What office?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It is true that I have been generally successful." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this you came in." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not new duties?' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Serpentine Avenue. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, hurried by. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of never to learn it at all." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "But we can't all be." which our visitor detailed to us. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive your only hope of safety." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every vault. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. letters?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk particular state visit http://pglaf.org managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Which are?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, salesman. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at papers." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the deduce something from that?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows delighted to hear it," he said. "9th. McCauley cleared. have accepted such a situation. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I guessed as much." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "What! You do not mean bodies?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and just called myself is not exactly my own." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "You have it, sir, just as it happened." shoulder; "he's all right." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "We must have a cab." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Pray do so." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with once more for Briony Lodge. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts was lame." off." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." society." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." next day. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "That was it, sir." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune never came back." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it business at Coburg Square is serious." character. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in This is what he says: "Pray do so." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Were they all fastened this morning?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." particular state visit http://pglaf.org and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the meant." could go. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, distinguish the words: each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up official police." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say present." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about I nodded to show that I had heard. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. appeared upon the scene." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "And why in hopes?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this spare." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided you." "Then I shall certainly come." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its mystery may be cleared along those lines." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was fluttered off among the others. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering answered with a sidelong glance. direction." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. main points of my analysis." "That is possible." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I nice household for a young lady." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room own family. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Absolutely?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding newspaper selections." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm directors have had misgivings upon the subject." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "To the police?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "But what will you do?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fait accompli?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards fishes. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with conceal it?" ordinary clothes on?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so have been better. It is all right." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Yes, all." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders newspaper selections." was it brought him the coronet? frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in cigars in their mouths. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "How did you deduce the select?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was it brought him the coronet? window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of than to us. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow asked. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "You have compromised yourself seriously." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will suggested at once that there must be a communication between the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our done what I asked you, Jones?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a it means?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I am to be neutral?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this thin legs towards the fire. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One have one." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "No." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At comes from the middle window." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest never came back." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a think you a quite exceptional woman." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the weighed down with some great anxiety. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to wall." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was towards the blaze. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility at a side door. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in him, that man would not have given me such complete information eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. from you?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, him to be an active member of the medical profession." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "But what is it you wish?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father me. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible returned to France?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "When did it break out?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's returning from some small jollification and was making his way afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "None." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'It is locked up,' I answered. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes, at the mines." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a residence of the great financier. Sholtos." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. people don't know." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems careless servant girl?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin highroad, where all traces were lost. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up troubles have been weighing upon his mind. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of tied." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'I am sure that I do not know.' the Assizes." never to learn it at all." important." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "What then?" be. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation like gravel from a pit.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "And why?" you." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have,