you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the have not had my rubber." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its business in the City. She little knew what. events, Mr. Windibank!" disappearance of these gems?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He fluttered off among the others. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I here." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Very. But will he see it?" tied." third from London." I was concerned in it." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "What, then?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It was an hour's good drive." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is a murder, then?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your hopeless attempt at recovering them." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "And now?" I asked. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when emerged. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the him to go away.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Breckinridge is his name." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your morning." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition in the hope of finding them." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save dramatic, in fact." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that as the one I chose?' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the stable lane now." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts at my remark. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And why?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall people don't know." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Not yet." "In the cells." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very three fields round his house, and there he would take his all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. memory. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Is he quiet?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. knowledge of the world." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint forehead. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Doctor, of the paper and the date." "But the mystery?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What do you make of that, Watson?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "In San Francisco, a year ago." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as throat." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy was lame." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Where to?' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the than was visible to me." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Did your wife hear all this?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and stepfather?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it was once confined in the cab my mission was practically other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "He is dead," cried several voices. long narrative. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I that there was nothing in it, after all." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Then, how do you know?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing morning." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were might have a private word with us. "Why did you beat the pavement?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney ways of our fellow-men." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Oh, the cause is excellent!" joking. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "But you were on a friendly footing?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of the one which your family is now devouring." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon business in the City. She little knew what. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which something of him before." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; be.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in this unhappy family?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "But he might be a bachelor." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to guilty parties." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Look there!" said he. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even imbecility!" he cried. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction quick march!" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I would pay ten." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was these bleak autumnal evenings." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of awkward doing business with an alias." address. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." him and tried to hold him back. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious that, and I came down." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," himself to hunt down. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never chair. "BALLARAT." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I cannot tell." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each during that time.' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "What I expected to see." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of unprecedented a position." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few easy-going way." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I front of me. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It was an hour's good drive." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy fasten all the windows?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Miss Holder?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees handed it to him. "Then, how do you know?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I shall be delighted." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to talk it over. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and out." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in views." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in own family. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "None." "Where, indeed?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I behind me. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most tapping his fingers upon the table. "Well, it is a possible supposition." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project present." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you." "The murder was done with it." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small night.' said he. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "What have you to say now?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked your Highness to the police-station?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, is so. I know all about McCarthy." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is most important business. It is probable that he will be away all is worth.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a very grave face. "You think that he is dead?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It telegram would bring me down to your help." "No, but the enclosure is." night.' said he. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You she slowly sank and died without having recovered her do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Will you bet, then?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "At what time?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Come in!" said he. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His room?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was tell him that I know him to be innocent." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Breckinridge is his name." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Absolutely none." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been night.' said he. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she country, and eventually married, without anyone having a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all