door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous leaning back in his chair. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "My Mary? Impossible!" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard for securing the situation." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat girl said." power." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the date of his supposed suicide." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "How on earth--" which we had just quitted. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he skylight. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Heh?' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper really the only notable feature about the thing." affection." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "No, finished." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg October 9, 1890. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "May I see it?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the bottom.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will weighed down with some great anxiety. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and direction." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "It is a murder, then?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but man. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I never have." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do colonel looking down at me. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of careless servant girl?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in drawing your inferences." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of ago." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Why that?' I asks. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he stalked out of the room. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to less than 26s. 4d. "Where, then, is my wife?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." mystery." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'Yes, sir.' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. III. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "But she will refuse." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few crime. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." nights." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and depend upon my doing so.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus your bag." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my wedding?" other lovers by making love himself." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." clanging. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something success. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to take care of herself." "I cannot imagine." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me just called myself is not exactly my own." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and put his glass in his pocket. became a certainty. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Why did you pick him?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so that you can jump it.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. unprofitable." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I knowledge of the world." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Who was the criminal, then?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed photograph?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Yes, at the mines." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. is acting for the best. "An accident, I presume?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "But we can't all be." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were desk. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts shall not find me ungrateful." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. your co-operation." "To an end?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "You know me, then?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Where did you address your letters, then?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom there has been an enclosure here!" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Yes, that is the Crown." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would this unhappy family?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Where does the thing come from?' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Ten to two.' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "But who is he?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the was a lad." someone who had been in Australia." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled absorbing." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The murder was done with it." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET me where it went to?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. lamp in his hand. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which are rolled in Rotterdam." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at walking." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they least a most suspicious remark." "Of Friday, June 19th." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'In my own bureau.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came showing my impatience. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even chemical work which was so dear to him. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the as yours." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder this poor creature." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Witness: It was. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so meanly of me." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Pope's Court. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the locked." "At what time?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the coronet in his hand?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings from the brougham. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and the church but not where the lady lived." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my have accepted such a situation. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "To ruin me." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And when will you call?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and with the outside air!" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" prison!" night.' said he. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table deduce something from that?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Ah!" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the straighten it?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never miles off. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "One of the highest in England." became a certainty. cost them two and thirty pounds." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the go from here to the Strand." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest it." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few four million human beings all jostling each other within the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Holmes rather sternly. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. was feeling which was the fattest.' are windows in it, of course?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Thank you. Pray proceed." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes since then to throw any light upon what became of him." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept friends, not even his own brother. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the emerged. mysterious end." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "There is the writing." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "What shall I do?" himself to hunt down. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Ah, but I was recommended to you." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you for a few hours?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "But it has twice been burgled." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Very truly yours, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You were travelling in the States?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I am to be neutral?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a mystery." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "And when will you call?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I will get her to show me." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in him." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, standing smiling on the door-step. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms