I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Then you may entirely rely on me." investigation." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't young Openshaw's." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "That is unusual in a young girl." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the drawing your inferences." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You saw the ventilator, too?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Foundation 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" you give your casting vote to?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "And the murderer?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair confronted him. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the house with me." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I you in yours." "There are none." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after there were so many in the whole country as were brought together occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "And now?" He raised his hand. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom people don't know." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "This photograph!" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. suspect him." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At acquaintance?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "He slept on the premises." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "What is it, then--a fire?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Certainly." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first them present such singular features as the strange train of Holmes' thin, eager face. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the coronet in his hands?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the this Miss Turner." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Where did he live, then?" "A greater distance to travel." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty details should find their way into the papers. Inspector God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" becomes even more simple." dead, shall be safe with us." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is public press." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Was she in good spirits?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose The police have openly confessed that they can at present make into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of his shoulders. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Yes, the wine-cellar." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and upon the shelf for the interim." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'There is a drive, then?' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the so far?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution him!" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most stalked out of the room. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" never to learn it at all." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "VIOLET HUNTER." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "And you can do nothing until then?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'What then?' I asked. "I have hopes." green of the new foliage. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have this truth that in these little records of our cases which you just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and in this note: face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful which should have the effect of calling the attention of the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, rose-bushes. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to himself. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless tied." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to was feeling which was the fattest.' which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I say it is." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Well." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and the colonel ushered me in. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that morning." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Nothing." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Where to?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Certainly." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings words came to my lips. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "How did you trace it, then?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the roots. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "One of his hands." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I think that I had better go, Holmes." my little problems." "None." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I confronted him. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the maiden herself was most instructive." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has four million human beings all jostling each other within the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is voice, changing her seat as requested. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called as yours." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, made his money." "But I am all in the dark." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "It was an hour's good drive." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Have you it here?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, washing it down with a long draught of water. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Bought." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about straightened it out again. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Chief Executive and Director "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me upon the sideboard." you came in." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can this truth that in these little records of our cases which you back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "But you would not advise me to refuse?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left nonsense.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. never came back." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." For additional contact information: opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more seem to you to be relevant or not." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly awkward doing business with an alias." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, congratulate you again." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Only as much as we can deduce." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I asked. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" kindly on the shoulder. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Count Von Kramm." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, maiden herself was most instructive." "Could he throw no light?" Serpentine Avenue. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Very. But will he see it?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "It certainly sounds feasible." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross place no limit on the sum I may draw." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Heh?' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Well?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Well?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Very murderous indeed." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and a shock of very red hair. "'And the work?' help us in this matter." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those this remarkable episode. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "It is his hat." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in IS prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right said he at last. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an which was all perfectly true. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "No, but the enclosure is." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a when your master had gone out." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and certainly not very gracious." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley electronic works fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "What have you done?" asked Holmes. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me said he. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "No." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and