by Arthur Conan Doyle

"Holmes," said I as I stood one morning bow-window looking down the street, " madman coming along It seems rather sad that his relatives should allow him out alone "

My friend rose lazily armchair and stood hands pockets dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder bright, crisp February morning, snow day before still lay deep ground, shimmering brightly wintry sun Down the centre of Baker Street it ploughed into brown crumbly band traffic, but at either side and heaped-up edges foot-paths it still lay as white as when it fell The grey pavement cleaned and scraped, but was still dangerously slippery, there were fewer passengers than usual Indeed, direction Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention

man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with massive, strongly marked face and commanding figure dressed in sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-gray trousers Yet his actions were in absurd contrast dignity dress and features, for running hard, with occasional little springs, such as weary man gives little accustomed to set any tax upon his legs As he ran he jerked his hands up and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face most extraordinary contortions

"What on earth the matter ? " I asked " looking up numbers houses "

"I believe that coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his hands

"Here ? "

"Yes; I rather think coming to consult me professionally that I recognise the symptoms Ha ! did I not tell you ? " As he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded clanging

later room, still puffing, still gesticulating, but with so fixed look of grief and despair eyes smiles were turned in an instant to horror and pity For while get his words out, but swayed his body and plucked at his hair like one who driven extreme limits reason Then, suddenly springing feet, he beat his head against the wall force that we both rushed upon him and tore him away centre room Sherlock Holmes pushed him down easy-chair and, sitting beside him, patted his hand and chatted easy, soothing tones which how to employ

" come your story, not ? " said he " fatigued with your haste Pray wait until recovered yourself, and then most happy to look into any little problem which submit "

The man sat for minute or more with heaving chest, fighting against his emotion Then he passed his handkerchief over his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us

" me mad ? " said he

" that some great trouble," responded Holmes

"God knows ! --a trouble enough to unseat my reason, so sudden and so terrible Public disgrace faced, although man whose character has never yet borne stain Private affliction also lot of every man; but the two coming together, and in so frightful form, enough to shake my very soul Besides, I alone The very noblest land may suffer unless some way be found out horrible affair "

"Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have clear account of who and what it has befallen you "

"My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your ears Alexander Holder, banking firm of Holder & Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street "

The name was indeed well known as belonging senior partner second largest private banking concern City of London What happened, then, to bring foremost citizens of London most pitiable pass ? We waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced himself his story

" is of value," said he; " why I hastened here police inspector suggested that secure your co-operation to Baker Street Underground and hurried from there on foot, cabs go slowly snow why so out of breath, for man who takes very little exercise better now, put the facts as shortly and yet as clearly as

" , , well known that in successful banking business depends upon our being able remunerative investments funds as upon our increasing our connection number depositors most lucrative means of laying out money is shape of loans, where the security is unimpeachable direction few years, and many noble families advanced large sums security pictures, libraries, or plate

"Yesterday morning seated in my office bank when card was brought in by clerks I started when the name, of none --well, perhaps even I had better say no more than name household word all over the earth-- highest, noblest, most exalted names in England overwhelmed honour and attempted, when he entered, so, but he plunged at once into business air of man who wishes to hurry quickly through disagreeable task

"' Mr Holder,' said he, ' informed that habit of advancing money '

"'The firm does so security is good ' I answered

"' absolutely essential ,' said he, 'that 50,000 pounds at once , , borrow so trifling sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer it matter of business and to carry out that business myself In my position readily understand unwise one's self under obligations '

"'For how long, may I ask, this sum ? ' I asked

"'Next Monday large sum due , and then most certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest it right But very essential money paid at once '

"' happy to advance it without further parley from my own private purse,' said I, 'were it not strain rather more than it could bear If, other hand, name firm, then in justice to my partner insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution taken '

"' much prefer it so,' said he, raising up square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair ' doubtless heard Beryl Coronet ? '

"' precious public possessions empire,' said I

"'Precisely ' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which he had named ' thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said he, ' price gold chasing is incalculable The lowest estimate would put the worth coronet at double the sum which asked prepared to leave it as my security '

" the precious case into my hands and looked in some perplexity to my illustrious client

"'You doubt its value ? ' he asked

"'Not at all I only doubt --'

"'The propriety leaving it set your mind at rest I dream of were it not absolutely certain that able in four days to reclaim it pure matter of form security sufficient ? '

"'Ample '