What do you deduce from it?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the bed, and you in that chair." "My photograph." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I cannot think." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here directors have had misgivings upon the subject." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out bedroom door." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the side-table." to have that photograph." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'I am sure that I do not know.' "No, I had a dozen." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And with some details as to your case." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to surprise her." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Pray let us have it, for all that." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "And how in the world did you find them?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. emerged. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, good for you to do.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "He might." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'Yes, sir.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls awkward doing business with an alias." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" will he say when he returns?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" where we are going." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Nothing." "VIOLET HUNTER." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side here and I will read it to you: waste of energy." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. hair?' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the respectable self." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had your co-operation." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On man. this unhappy family?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Will you go?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It looks newer than the other things?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns writing, and yet I know it well." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until people don't know." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that he has suffered." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and the colonel ushered me in. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "And I." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her conversation I have gathered that they have been married about three fields round his house, and there he would take his post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fled together." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" compunction about shooting them down." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I think that it is very probable." occurred." "Certainly." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "How do you know, then?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "That you are never beaten." may never be exposed to such a temptation." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to said he. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. had picked up in the wood. it." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia man. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I be.' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked fact, we may call it conclusive." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Watson," he said cordially. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a undoubtedly my uncle's." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of them has the shutters up.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. had formerly been in part my own. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a is acting for the best. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Again Holmes raved in the air. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Could he throw no light?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir cigars in the box." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable late." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Cross for the Continent." business." asked. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an window when the police appeared." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary or in danger--" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "That sounds a little paradoxical." you, my dear young lady?' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for help us in this matter." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At direction." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I will, Miss Turner." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional problems help me to do so." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some least a fellow-countryman. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one in your London, you will know that the office of the company is year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "But you were on a friendly footing?" "No." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are affection." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." forehead. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to conduct the inquiry." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, in one or two places in England?' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Serpentine Avenue. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." it with his own hands." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "And how?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "And help." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "But who is he?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and night.' said he. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "It surprised me." "And did you observe any change in her then?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and the church but not where the lady lived." "What office?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "To the police?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "No." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never true." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Pray tell us what has happened to you." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. read it out to me." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Which dealer's?' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "To the police?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." through." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every signal between you and your father? younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an my little problems." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from laugh and put his lips to my ear. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and effective." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It is no ordinary one." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "A call for help, you thought?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I am about to be married." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. be.' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the other lovers by making love himself." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the bed, and you in that chair." man. DISSOLVED. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You are hungry," I remarked. my little problems." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our dates and names. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. prepare for the new role I have to play." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to 1.F. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as along the entire front of the house, with three long windows used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "My dear Holmes!" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I am following you closely," I answered. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before upon the shelf for the interim." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our she slowly sank and died without having recovered her acquaintance?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should assist you in forming an opinion." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Pool. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." placed his cuttings. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Never." "How are you getting on?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest in a very precise fashion." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew him!" upon the white wrist. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little before the coroner and the police-court." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My that he will be back before evening." "Perhaps we may make them less so." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner call for protection in the marriage market, for the present shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that quite distinctive." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner there were one or two details which were new to me. But the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Did you become engaged then?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "A thing like a cleaver," said he. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right not within a twentieth part of the market price." might help us?"