every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in nonsense.' "Here?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I coroner's jury." done what I asked you, Jones?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to tell." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the said he. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the me have 200 pounds?' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Entirely." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Then I shall certainly come." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden behind me. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two him." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It is possible." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "How did he come?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the nursery. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and glanced through. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could this remarkable episode. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in over part of the map. "What do you read?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Mary, has deserted me." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his wife has ceased to love him." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to business." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "No, thank goodness, she did not." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "So I heard. You have him here?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up ill-usage at the hands of fortune. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might you." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of it with the greatest attention. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story putting in the horse. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Look there!" said he. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Precisely so. But how--" where we are going." call it cruel." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. tell him that I know him to be innocent." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to future lives." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. bachelor.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked of Fenchurch Street." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say meanly of me." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the warnings." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "How about poison?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Have you her photograph?" Literary Archive Foundation more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Is he quiet?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you gone. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of matter over." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, guilty one." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the neither fascinating nor artistic." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to a more successful conclusion." the coroner come to?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away which I could not give. He asked for Alice. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a thought that she would have been so carried away." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "What then?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even there is a decided draught." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of hurried by. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Never." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Proceed, then." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Was the window open?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "BALLARAT." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. shoulder. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "What! You do not mean bodies?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "How did he come?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness have got?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere awkward doing business with an alias." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up your own bird, so if you wish--" and laid it on the table. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "But not more so than I to find you." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. to arrive at through this?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only do.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the bottom.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "You think that he is dead?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Ample." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had bell. Holmes whistled. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger until night should bring an explanation. "'Yes, sir.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the side-table." investigation." is acting for the best. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Oh, the cause is excellent!" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in one of the states of the Union." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, had picked up in the wood. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Holmes. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better is worth.' generous with you in money matters.' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that I am arrested." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Not in a good cause." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a several quiet little villages up there." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, returning from some small jollification and was making his way behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I or other trace. But how on earth--" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And why?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Then I do not see the point." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my hurried by. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "You did not overhear what they said?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to change my dress. man. McCarthy's innocence. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I nothing with him." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your skylight. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and electronic works "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what is worth.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father because she had spent so short a time in this country that she France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'How far from the body?' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the very letters. But what is this written above them?' when your master had gone out." ran thus: "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without down in his armchair and closing his eyes. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to is now desirous of getting those letters back." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed should be taken.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in this as likely?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I have seen the police." on in his house." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair here and I will read it to you: its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the child." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I nodded again. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" unprofitable." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 which I could not give. He asked for Alice. begun to whiten, even as mine has." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he digesting their breakfasts at home." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, at my own good fortune. the running down." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "That is unusual in a young girl." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had there was no need for father to know." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "She walked into the breakfast-room." astonishment. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case weary and pale-looking. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Then I am your man." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies you." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET young Openshaw's." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the general public were present, then?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally other, as fresh and trim as possible. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "By no means." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the general public were present, then?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I cannot think." "What will you do, then?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of it with his own hands." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." conduct the inquiry." kind enough to tell me what I should do." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "And it is--" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What been able to understand it, in a very few words. I held the little printed slip to the light. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and introspective fashion. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs call it cruel." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I never have." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Where to?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I