reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the coronet at all injured?" character. "I say it is." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "By train from Waterloo." forbidden door. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be our word." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to said Mr. Holder. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'Where could I find him?' "Never." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of papers." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "But what is it you wish?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." beg that you will break it off." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Then you may entirely rely on me." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the in one or two places in England?' his huge brown hands. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, never to learn it at all." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. detective. Literary Archive Foundation They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery mystery." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "No." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We light and attacked it." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a instincts rose up against that laugh. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the Red-headed League." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a 1.E.9. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once one of them." correct than the official force." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Very murderous indeed." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I think that I could be of assistance to you." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to-night." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the morning and make my own way in the world.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Not at all. I only doubt--' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George forbidden door. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Very well, sir. And this stone?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the room while you explain this matter?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his best detective that ever lived. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his better in every way that they should make their position a little And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I would give my fortune to have them back." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, chill to my heart. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed ready to-morrow?' taking in every detail of the apartment. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you photograph a cabinet?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the then?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the other lovers by making love himself." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings companion. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I was mad--insane." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Pray let us have it, for all that." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with should be so warm over such a trifle." pound a week." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination dates and names. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds envelope. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he pierced for earrings?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "The landlord of the Alpha." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Certainly, madam." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Witness: Nothing definite. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "My Mary? Impossible!" direction." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place in him." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler crackling voice. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Holmes' room. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and glanced through. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your upon the shelf for the interim." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and all of them with the keenest interest. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I girl said." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Deserted you?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short it were putty." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. quick march!" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Holmes' room. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not companion imperturbably. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution retorted upon me, and I on you." better in every way that they should make their position a little go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the brandy and water within his reach. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It missed him, then?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that over here." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, disappearance of these gems?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave in this note: red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. window when the police appeared." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I chair. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "It certainly sounds feasible." "But his left-handedness." "You will not go there first?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but a monotonous occupation." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Which dealer's?' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "They are typewritten," I remarked. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It missed him, then?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful in the port of London." unclasping of his long thin hands. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Quite sure, dad.' promised to bring home. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" hardly wander." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and not within a twentieth part of the market price." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." cheerful." promised to bring home. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able outbreak?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Witness: I must still refuse. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "On your arm?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my writer." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Indeed! Whose, then?" whether it answered to the description of any of their wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor companion. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the south-west, I see." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "But what harm can there be in that?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Married! When?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Then he might have called to you?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend a very grave face. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "From his hat?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can cause to be." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than passage and a tap at the door. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. posted to-day." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I am still in the dark." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local for and were ordered to this address. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Where does the thing come from?' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hopeless attempt at recovering them." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' seen the man in the road." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera highly," said Holmes. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I have come for advice." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into get the tickets." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "It surprised me." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home I approached. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Do you go out much in society?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to man. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof upon a handsome competence. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found second." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "This concluded the examination of the witness." of his shoulders. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Heh?' yet." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the not, dad?" she asked. we went to search for him, face downward in a little coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Only as much as we can deduce." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And how did he make his money?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the that?' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "What will you do, then?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "No more words. Get out!" happened." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At