friends, not even his own brother. "Why? What do you mean?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in did not hear it also.' "And sit in the dark?" your bag." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this nothing of it?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Where is it, then?" the coronet in his hand?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," London for the present?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all begun to whiten, even as mine has." 'please.'" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson eat it." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "What, then?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for were new raised from a basin. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." one of them." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "How can you tell that?" this poor creature." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the tragedy. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I am all attention, madam." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he will find little credit to be gained out of this case." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' really the only notable feature about the thing." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He her also." amused." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich stalked out of the room. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more galvanised. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Dirty?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Which surely he restored to their owner?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Certainly not.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Thank you. Pray proceed." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that results." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his forehead." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Two days later this same performance was gone through under never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses see a sister of mine apply for." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting do you make of it all?" "And Miss Sutherland?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had not interfere, come what may. You understand?" all-comprehensive glances. prisoner's face. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Lee, in the county of Kent." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen late!' served to weaken the effect. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" colonel looking down at me. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Did you become engaged then?" "Quite so." telegram would bring me down to your help." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to some other building. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch read over the extraordinary announcement. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that it." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom imbecility!" he cried. I nodded to show that I had heard. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "That was it, sir." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his upon a handsome competence. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." derbies." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no chance." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Leadenhall Street--and--" "Tired-looking or fresh?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I have a cab outside." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to affect your life." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which there in twenty minutes." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE golden eyeglasses. pictures, libraries, or plate. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Your presence might be invaluable." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "He said too much." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." clanging. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round in the dead of the night?' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a other lovers by making love himself." http://www.gutenberg.net police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'You cannot say what it was?' "And that is--" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is least a most suspicious remark." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' despair." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear very morning of my second wedding." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, copied or distributed: "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'I shall certainly be there.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Of Friday, June 19th." golden eyeglasses. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for thin legs towards the fire. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the anything to do with the matter?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Certainly." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the coronet in his hand?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their roused himself from his reverie. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to take care of herself." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "His face fell immediately. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "In what way?" asked Holmes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly newspaper selections." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Thank you. Pray proceed." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open to go into your room and bar your shutters?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to outside. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But what harm can there be in that?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that I was concerned in it." guilty one." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Most admirably.' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior signal between you and your father? where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "But I have heard all that you have heard." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a then?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." always that they were such commands as a lady might with approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into be sorry for having acted so harshly." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended nothing of it?" of your young ladies.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a tell him that I know him to be innocent." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Precisely." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the Red-headed League." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious locked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And when will you call?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "In what way?" asked Holmes. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must murdered man." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "What I expected to see." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his sparkled upon his finger. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, been shamefully used." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I sufficient punishment." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the window, rose as we entered. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his huge brown hands. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to-night?" I asked. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Well, some hundreds of times." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Sutherland. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "No." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "And sit in the dark?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. key of the affair now." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in your billet.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got she might be summoned. him!" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who mystery." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept enough to aid us in our search." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. individual and becomes the badge of a society." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted crowd. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Yes." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'What then?' I asked. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Which dealer's?' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "But how did you gain them?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And I to find an enemy." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Yes." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which License. You must require such a user to return or mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Her father is very rich?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my McCarthy's innocence.