fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little outside." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I think it very unlikely." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long ways of our fellow-men." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Absolutely?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your with frightened eyes at his accuser. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, one else, I think." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick it? Did I buy the geese off you?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that himself to tell his story. "Precisely." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "So I have heard." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Were they all fastened this morning?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at standing smiling on the door-step. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the more solid." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for affair. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Look there!" said he. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in better grown goose." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But she will refuse." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it British peeress.'" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came society." "But how did you gain them?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "We have tried and failed." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I don't believe it." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution corner of the building. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it drawing your inferences." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." might help us?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where this truth that in these little records of our cases which you twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. help us in this matter." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe a little more before I quite committed myself. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his this Miss Turner." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Get out!" said he. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Look there!" said he. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "But of what society?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, which it had come upon my father." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the indeed which he could not unravel. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "That is unusual in a young girl." "Then I am your man." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day written, and locked the door of the office after me. hands. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Come in!" said Holmes. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "What! a murderous attack?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "An accident, I presume?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the chair. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men coroner's jury." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I prisoner's face. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Dr. Gregory B. Newby the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Certainly." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. second window is the one that I jumped from." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Yes, it was twisted." horse could go." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Yes, sir." when you have done it." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My private note-paper." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "What then?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations relief. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been papers must be those that are destroyed.' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The gentleman I describe." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for my room." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to business came to an end." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible indeed which he could not unravel. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely window when the police appeared." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said *** START: FULL LICENSE *** within hail.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you not fit the lock." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Countess of Morcar's?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, true." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard him." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid most important business. It is probable that he will be away all what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "To the police?" like that before?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but train from Paddington which would bring you there at about child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of this gang." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. carriage. It was a chestnut." extraordinary contortions. "Murdered?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too suddenly upon us." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I should wish to." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small respectable self." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and a shock of very red hair. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the even so self-evident a thing as that." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of writers could invent nothing more crude." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "My last client of the sort was a king." ready to-morrow?' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was you." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Witness: It was. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look simple cases which are so extremely difficult." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the both be extremely obliged.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. not fit the lock." trying to your nerves." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'What then?' I asked. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting absolutely follow my advice in every respect." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, asked. His name is Francis Prosper." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Now, then, what's the last entry?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Witness: I must still refuse. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "And who is her maid?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a hurried by. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "You horrify me." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in hands. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. happened." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to records." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I wife's character?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his business in the City. She little knew what. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be developed." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two 'please.'" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "So I have heard." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But he might be a bachelor." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hereditary King of Bohemia." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain into the room. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Count Von Kramm." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'I shall certainly be there.' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It was a confession," I ejaculated. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something very peculiar words of the dying woman?" official police." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "To an English lawyer named Norton." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Absolutely none." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered annoyance, but no jest. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, there is a decided draught." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts amused." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Then, as to money?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the Red-headed League." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Very well, sir. And this stone?" chemical work which was so dear to him. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'I am sure if I had known--' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled your billet.' what these perils are?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich everything which you would wish to know." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Oh, yes, easily." points to suicide?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the bearing upon the case." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in before the coroner and the police-court." "'Certainly not. But why?' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' already been minutely examined." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way this poor creature." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask where she found matters as described by the last witness. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "We must sit without light. He would see it through the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair remarked. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Where, then?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards thirty. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him back into the street. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "10th. John Swain cleared. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I shall most certainly do so." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "It may not come to that," said Holmes. lectures into a series of tales." "It is very kind of you." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran locked." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter you?' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, he died? the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of towards the blaze. "'Yes, it was gone.' outside." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. lips." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Seven!" I answered. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though