"'Most admirably.' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me been anything against him. He had for years been known as a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I don't believe it." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as once more. lost nothing by them." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Game for a morning drive?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the License. You must require such a user to return or "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I shall be delighted." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. new acquaintance to Baker Street. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project cigars in their mouths. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Pray continue your narrative." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless noting anything else of interest. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced you give your casting vote to?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." she used." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a death." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against recover the gem." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Your presence might be invaluable." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the way of danger. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I comes from the middle window." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he indeed which he could not unravel. which we had just quitted. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project of the vacancies.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had there were one or two details which were new to me. But the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no them, and came down just as you departed. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. down. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "So I heard. You have him here?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Dark enough and sinister enough." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken depend upon your compliance." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the window when the police appeared." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Yes." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "It is possible." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, fresh and glossy." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "10th. John Swain cleared. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of what I may call a really hard day's work." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his lectures into a series of tales." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney so far?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Then, how do you know?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Here?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the him!" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an III. my little problems." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. not within a twentieth part of the market price." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I see many objections to any such theory." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the events than those which have happened in my own family." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very during the last few years, and there are many noble families to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "No, but the enclosure is." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my article?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Were they all fastened this morning?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "That sounds a little paradoxical." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, out of this horrible affair." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or you, my dear young lady?' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Where did he live, then?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "So I am. Very much so." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Then he might have called to you?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I think that it is very probable." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case morning." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Nothing." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "No." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Why, what do you mean?" "Where is it, then?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am national property. I was determined that the law should have its Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "What can it mean?" I gasped. morning." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "On the contrary, this is the right side." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "That you are never beaten." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot was the fact that his father should, according to his account, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would fatally injured? act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the matter." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was his eyes and forehead. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am very old mansion. "He said that you could solve anything." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "No sign of it?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could garden below. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "What of the rat, then?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been I shall communicate with you." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "About a month then." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "My dear Holmes!" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no writing, and yet I know it well." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the so-precious time, but come!' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands lamp in his hand. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon where we are going." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes correct than the official force." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "How did he come?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning questioning and rather startled gaze. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I have my revolver," said I. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present said he. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, she might be summoned. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the breakfast?" minor matters until to-morrow." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic morning." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, it was twisted." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, with her." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" touch that coronet?' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "And I say east," said my patient. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, bears upon the case?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "No?" "When did it break out?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fasten all the windows?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the one as in the other." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not opened a pocket-book and took out a note. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and corner of the building. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, him!" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. assist you in forming an opinion." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and a shock of very red hair. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the little opening for the ventilator is." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" she used." the tragedy. the coronet in his hand?" ventilator." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, see a sister of mine apply for." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I have my revolver," said I. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Certainly." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "But she will refuse." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "No, I had a dozen." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, husband's writing, madam." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a guilty one." "Just look it up, then." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'Certainly,' I answered. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Ah, but I was recommended to you." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora over with notes and figures. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "But you would not advise me to refuse?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain entirely lost his self-respect." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so money should be paid at once.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "How can you tell that?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I fuss that is made over them." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Always." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would words came to my lips. some terrible trap for her." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental ventilator." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "But what is it you wish?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'Then let me do so?' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You best detective that ever lived. "And is that all?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "My own seal." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "BALLARAT." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I fear not."