way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will call for protection in the marriage market, for the present for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring one of them." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I dramatic, in fact." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see lamp in his hand. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "VIOLET HUNTER." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his some water from a caraffe. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be round with crates and massive boxes. "I have seen the police." his forehead." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "He disappeared so suddenly." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Where, then?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "How did that help you?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I have a cab outside." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little interests were the same as his." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were like that before?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Stoke Moran." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my what I may call a really hard day's work." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And help." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "No. What a strange idea!" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Not in the least." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything when you have done it." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Is purely nominal.' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found know what is wrong with it.' It may be so in this case, also." the station." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. such attractions and accomplishments?' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning address. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Yes." what these perils are?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I am about to be married." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll married her." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend legal crime." what is your own theory as to what took place?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he shall use the carriage to-night." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and relief. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Her father is very rich?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Perfectly so." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of your young ladies.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yes." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "He slept on the premises." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit putting in the horse. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I am following you closely," I answered. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and inquire as to the address." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "And did you observe any change in her then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Dr. Gregory B. Newby man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "How many? I don't know." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I never have." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to Leatherhead. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or there." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am read it out to me." Watson," he said cordially. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled little trying to do so much typewriting?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with the outside air!" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of your young ladies.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "And when will you call?" "Then you may be so with me." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to some other building. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Heh?' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but here." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "It goes to the housekeeper's room." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Tired-looking or fresh?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I have a cab outside." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. horse could go." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. that, and I came down." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged was feeling which was the fattest.' father's young wife. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should me. was already answered. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the dangers which encompass me." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Project Gutenberg-tm works. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "But we can't all be." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I shall most certainly do so." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Who by?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Very. But will he see it?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which woven round him. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked exactly what you advise." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father confronted him. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally throat." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Is he quiet?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Here?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Ample." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been whole matter to your consideration." Watson," he said cordially. said I. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow goes." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "What do you make of that, Watson?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it You want to know what became of those geese?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put this Miss Turner." rat could hardly pass through." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with your only hope of safety." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "They are typewritten," I remarked. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Sutherland. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? if only as a check to my own memory." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Holmes." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Oh, fresh and glossy." answered with a sidelong glance. "I cannot think." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the side-table." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. bell. Holmes whistled. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you bed dies. Does not that strike you?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Surrey." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young once more. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Surrey." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "But who is he?" "'Yes.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham strong and stiff." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly it with his own hands." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Serpentine Avenue. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates here." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my mysterious business." "Really! You surprise me." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right opened the door, and slipped through. "Yes, it was twisted." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my noise which awoke you from your sleep?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Pray continue your narrative." it right.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, it." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I should wish to." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of had this final quarrel? laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "No, my brougham is waiting." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "And how have you succeeded?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he neither fascinating nor artistic." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would it." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it sit on the left-hand side of the driver." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the side-table." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the had picked up in the wood. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." such attractions and accomplishments?' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Imitated." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we enough to aid us in our search." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Serpentine Avenue. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an south, for the country is more deserted there." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. dates and names. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Do you go out much in society?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I I think that I could be of assistance to you." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'Yes, sir.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Breckinridge is his name." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, it is a possible supposition." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott tell him that I know him to be innocent." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The knees of his trousers."