"That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. read over the extraordinary announcement. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are kindly on the shoulder. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "No." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the inner apartment." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, it." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down cause to be." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel with you alone." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Your French gold?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "It may not come to that," said Holmes. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Certainly not. But why?' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from presume?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "My Mary? Impossible!" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Of Friday, June 19th." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I this unhappy family?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of look upon these things in a different way." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Was he the only applicant?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls main points of my analysis." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, in this way: have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Why serious?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and all of them with the keenest interest. deduce something from that?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle directly by questioning you." memory. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. were unconscious?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Serpentine Avenue. "'And what salary do you ask?' "No, finished." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I heavy and sharp instrument." will not take me long to tell. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the fire. You quite follow me?" directly by questioning you." "Nothing." sneer upon his pale face. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she purpose of examination. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and him and tried to hold him back. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to think that any burglar could have done. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the redistribution. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. my special province." developed." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Sutherland. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the matter." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Yes." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "We must have a cab." "Has he come with you to-night?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And what then?" "What I expected to see." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my companion quietly. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an down from London to inquire more deeply into it." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the date of his supposed suicide." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Eyford." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the where we are going." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of bachelor.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "What I expected to see." "'I shall certainly be there.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be locked." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "And I say east," said my patient. "You know me, then?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Where, then, is my wife?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. again before evening." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of or other trace. But how on earth--" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he way in everything. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Which dealer's?' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of be best to do. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Nothing." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "In which, sir?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "How did you deduce the select?" The King stared at him in amazement. highroad, where all traces were lost. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De meanly of me." "Have you it here?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. call the police, let the police find what they can.' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "But how will you look?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny least a fellow-countryman. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in see a sister of mine apply for." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to affect your life." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'Where to?' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained chill to my heart. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I should like to see him very much." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It developed." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry way: "Where is it, then?" "But your client--" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Why, what do you mean?" "What will you do, then?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Of what day?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission recover the gem." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a new duties?' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet miles off. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted My friend smiled. I shall communicate with you." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main less than 26s. 4d. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and key of the affair now." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but My friend smiled. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the have established a very serious case against the son of the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the that I am arrested." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can I nodded again. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the warnings." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "My dear Holmes!" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for promised to bring home. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "And I say east," said my patient. a little more before I quite committed myself. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fat-encircled eyes. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, where we are going." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" present." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round criminal. We have already had experience of such." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell like gravel from a pit.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the best of training." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "But you were on a friendly footing?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few ashen face. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been presented more singular features than that which was associated old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers to tackle the facts." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." fear." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was question. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Awake, Watson?" he asked. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence knowledge of the world." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "ARAT," I read. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary ashen face. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't get the tickets." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." constraint." "And who is her maid?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of legal crime." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I answered that I had not. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." despair." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you