"Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." answered with a sidelong glance. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not families. Now for the facts. pictures, libraries, or plate. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive with her." new acquaintance to Baker Street. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my within hail.' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid carried out of court." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'What are you doing there?' he asked. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age said he. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, existence." telegram would bring me down to your help." shall use the carriage to-night." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is been with you?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the devil!" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the there in twenty minutes." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'And the work?' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable washing it down with a long draught of water. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the This is what he says: such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "BALLARAT." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "She showed me, as I told you she would." read it out to me." ventilator." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, skylight. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera foot. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "But who is he?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Proceed, then." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. my room." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of miles off. brandy and water within his reach. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Very good.' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock what these perils are?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Then you may be so with me." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. entirely devoid of interest." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'I am sure if I had known--' "You have the photograph?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the whatever might befall. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "By no means." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Did you become engaged then?" ways of our fellow-men." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt matter." your sleep?' "What?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "You will not go there first?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be beyond words. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I locked." "But how?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something newspaper selections." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save existence." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband did not hear it also.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as call for it in person on Monday morning.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "And that is--" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "How can you tell that?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "There are none." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Of what day?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yes, it was twisted." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Here?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had noble correspondent could be. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. instincts rose up against that laugh. Edgeware Road. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Edgeware Road. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation because she had spent so short a time in this country that she that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of receipt of the work. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "No. What a strange idea!" prepare for the new role I have to play." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It must be recovered." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It is half-past ten now." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Where, then, is my wife?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "But who is he?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "That's no good." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Certainly." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple off." comes from the middle window." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. some water from a caraffe. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she to-night." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'I shall certainly be there.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "To the police?" shall use the carriage to-night." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the night.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' certainly do as you advise." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, paper in the air. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I will, Miss Turner." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that kind enough to tell me what I should do." for and were ordered to this address. prisoner's face. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "If so, much may have happened between." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with room had already been engaged for us. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, was feeling which was the fattest.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white may never be exposed to such a temptation." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Then you may entirely rely on me." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Not particularly." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the presented more singular features than that which was associated reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of said he. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good my special province." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the people in all walks of life. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'What, the red-headed man?' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Certainly." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" have one." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "No, thank goodness, she did not." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I say it is." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted me have 200 pounds?' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must and wait." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on room had already been engaged for us. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "And the cigar-holder?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable again." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Of what day?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at promised to bring home. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought During two years I have had three consultations and one small from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the coronet in his hands?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the again before evening." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the best of training." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the golden eyeglasses. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Come in!" said Holmes. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of with the outside air!" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent for the market.' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called me where it went to?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the your own bird, so if you wish--" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Quite sure, dad.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to tell him that I know him to be innocent." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's who was a member of your goose club." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus call for it in person on Monday morning.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or would then never go into court at all." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of his shoulders. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's already been minutely examined." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Where, indeed?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." prepare for the new role I have to play." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It weary and pale-looking. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug