compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Did you become engaged then?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes. He waved his hands." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring stepfather?" "Of Friday, June 19th." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "How many? I don't know." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, better in every way that they should make their position a little central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And is that all?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." train.' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he strength in the others." was it brought him the coronet? that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what posted to-day." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Sutherland. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the nursery. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" vault. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "That is unusual in a young girl." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates comes from the middle window." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, manager. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew into the room. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for digesting their breakfasts at home." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not anything to a woman, for she would have her way." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that prison!" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." what these perils are?" which it had come upon my father." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" crime." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should less than 26s. 4d. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his awkward doing business with an alias." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped a room. "Her father is very rich?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Where, then, is my wife?" better grown goose." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'Ten to two.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted away to you." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, entirely devoid of interest." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such lectures into a series of tales." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I shall be delighted." politicians who had been sent down from the North. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the house with me." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon there has been an enclosure here!" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Who was the criminal, then?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "You think that he is dead?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys with you?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Then, as to money?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty a good hundred miles off by now." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." be.' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Which surely he restored to their owner?" locked. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would happened." case before our client came into the room." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what London for the present?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which secret." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt made his money." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door congenial hunt. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Foundation hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Holmes' room. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door hard-headed British jury." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was breakfast." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I have solved it." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "No, I had a dozen." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. was lame." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Precisely so. But how--" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You were travelling in the States?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into him." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a which our visitor detailed to us. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a key turn in the lock." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Yes, but only for you and me." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' drove away. felt?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You think so, too?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Which dealer's?' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'I have already given you my word.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its out of this horrible affair." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Certainly not.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning business?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. will take you up to see the machine.' "9th. McCauley cleared. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Then, how do you know?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Countess of Morcar's?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Clair, of Lee." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Certainly, madam." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he awkward doing business with an alias." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg said he at last. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "In which, sir?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Holmes' face clouded over. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." over with notes and figures. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." carpenter." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. them?" outsides of the windows. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Can I be of assistance?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone instincts rose up against that laugh. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "You will not go there first?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and inquire as to the address." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with fatally injured? "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And I say east," said my patient. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "She showed me, as I told you she would." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it were putty." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you that I can to serve you." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend off." him to be an active member of the medical profession." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. in him." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the digesting their breakfasts at home." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had danger is over." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came had died away into the silence from which it rose. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or works. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "You have a clue?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire know that the truth is known." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the charge against him will break down." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "And how in the world did you find them?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and up this clue while it is still hot." Dr. Gregory B. Newby and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Holmes, the busybody!" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "But to whom?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for upon the shelf for the interim." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Could he throw no light?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "At half-wages, in fact." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less which are rolled in Rotterdam." out." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And your father? Did you tell him?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Only as much as we can deduce." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. people in all walks of life. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public country, and eventually married, without anyone having a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not make me his representative both with the servants and with the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Awake, Watson?" he asked. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.