when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I have a cab outside." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present happened." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come in the port of London." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You have but to name it." of Mr. Rucastle's." him. hour." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching taking in every detail of the apartment. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the loss of it. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there said I. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "But how?" back alive. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know handed it to him. "An enemy?" "Yes." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "BALLARAT." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I am to be neutral?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My get the tickets." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there it with his own hands." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I nodded to show that I had heard. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich once more. "What, then?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his before the coroner and the police-court." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would over with notes and figures. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he to-morrow." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Where, then?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We quickly through a disagreeable task. 'please.'" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this new acquaintance to Baker Street. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Thank you. And your address?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Lee, in the county of Kent." "What will you do, then?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect already been minutely examined." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "At half-wages, in fact." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "VIOLET HUNTER." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the handed it to him. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "If so, much may have happened between." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for digesting their breakfasts at home." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he will find little credit to be gained out of this case." once more. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my fear." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "You heard nothing yourself last night?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you some city in a dream. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "No." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." detective. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came not within a twentieth part of the market price." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "So I have heard." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And that is--" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the wedding?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his had died away into the silence from which it rose. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "And help." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you in yours." bearing upon the case." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in his hands." "Did he not advertise?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Cross for the Continent." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which gives a meaning to it." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And I." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my wedding?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Who by?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It came here." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "What will you do, then?" would apply.' "Yes." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could room?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'Never.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself locked." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Yes, sir.' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I have solved it." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his get the tickets." said he. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call in his power. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of receipt of the work. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the Red-headed League." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the bill, which interests me deeply." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Not in a good cause." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Pray let us have it, for all that." will he say when he returns?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this dates and names. that you wished to speak to me?' him, that man would not have given me such complete information present." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and put his glass in his pocket. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had all?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "How are you getting on?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and the whole place is in a blaze." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "It surprised me." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You horrify me!" over part of the map. "What do you read?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from know what is wrong with it.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Then what has happened to him?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the congratulate you again." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Very. But will he see it?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, quick march!" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Yes, sir.' "Where did he live, then?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out I nodded to show that I had heard. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a disappearance of these gems?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson derbies." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "The murder was done with it." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in light and attacked it." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has some place of shelter and let the county police know what has direction." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was tail." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy were new raised from a basin. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room fashion which was peculiar to him. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Mary, has deserted me." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Thank you. And your address?" of it with the greatest attention. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. roused himself from his reverie. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire as the one I chose?' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You lids now and glanced across at his visitor. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You have a clue?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient a monotonous occupation." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK girl said." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own