"That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice to that open window." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very himself to tell his story. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, less than 26s. 4d. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the then?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which photograph?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt useful material for showing traces. The double line a little twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the address that was given us in the advertisement. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and the whole place is in a blaze." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the child." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him him." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Stoke Moran." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. formed some opinion?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable outside." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "From his hat?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." with some details as to your case." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. with her." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had The events in question occurred in the early days of my it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "My dear Holmes!" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity which our visitor detailed to us. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "VIOLET HUNTER." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I say that I have solved it." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was your room." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I experiences." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "We must sit without light. He would see it through the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as heavily into it. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "No more words. Get out!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that help us in this matter." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "And your mother is alive?" you understand?" knowledge of the world." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the delighted to hear it," he said. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an or other trace. But how on earth--" "Where to?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to again." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the becomes even more simple." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe examine." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Then what has happened to him?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, his cane at the bell-pull. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our unprecedented a position." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" For additional contact information: rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "But you have hopes?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Why, what do you mean?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'Yes, sir.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Sholtos." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "How are you getting on?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it call you and give you the chance." straighten it?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I success. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in experiences." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, passage and a tap at the door. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not opened the door, and slipped through. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was bill, which interests me deeply." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I would give my fortune to have them back." "But of what society?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate noble correspondent could be. your bag." locked. without a word or a look. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Have you good authority for what you say?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I cannot tell." "That is not always so easy." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your outside. became a certainty. upon the white wrist. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Arthur Conan Doyle You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where tightly behind him. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Then what has happened to him?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent you give your casting vote to?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "There is the writing." me what he had done with the three missing stones. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "No." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's you." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window ran thus: me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they train.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "He slept on the premises." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'Quite sure, dad.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his hour." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "This photograph!" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your II. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for your troubles." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project it." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and province." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily that you saw all that I did." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident you." "Was he the only applicant?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we copied or distributed: his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "That was it, sir." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "That you are never beaten." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his knees, staring into the fire. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if have one." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. constraint." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow jewels which you have stolen?' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "She told me to ask you." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." empty. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. writing, and yet I know it well." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I am all attention, madam." second." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "But what harm can there be in that?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "But he might be a bachelor." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of the vacancies.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see without a word or a look. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. cup of tea. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and how narrow had been my escape. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and business in the City. She little knew what. "I cannot imagine." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin developed." fait accompli?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it himself to hunt down. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through empty. once more for Briony Lodge. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue could not have written that. It is the German who is so "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Certainly not.' the tragedy. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been stalked out of the room. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, waste of energy." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step father's young wife. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in a friendly supper." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Won't it ring?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few bell. Holmes whistled. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial who was a member of your goose club." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "How on earth--" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be may have an influence upon European history." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" your troubles." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached should be so warm over such a trifle." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do lamp in his hand. strode off upon his way. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the business in the City. She little knew what. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "To an end?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "What then?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' a suggestive one." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me are, and they are waiting for us." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Was he the only applicant?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips I leave." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, of it with the greatest attention.