I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "My private note-paper." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." notes," he said. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, that I may have something better before very many minutes are could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." cigars in the box." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such which it had come upon my father." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But what will you do?" "No, I am descending." "But of what society?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring my secret was safe in his possession. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I said he. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in fled together." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Nearly eleven." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I six. Come in!" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Where does the thing come from?' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. waste of energy." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it man. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. knowledge of the world." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I have come for advice." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and no precautions can guard against." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "How did you trace it, then?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Is purely nominal.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Was she in good spirits?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then criminal. We have already had experience of such." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was lame." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Ah!" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "If I can be of use." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and this man was intellectual?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And from a noble client?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have formed some opinion?" details." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "None. Neville wrote those words." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on like that before?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" unprecedented a position." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the date of his supposed suicide." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. in his hands." returning from some small jollification and was making his way went to the Alpha were town bred." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Where did he live, then?" fuss that is made over them." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Then what has happened to him?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which back to my heart. this Miss Turner." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation this Miss Turner." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "At half-wages, in fact." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback maiden herself was most instructive." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "No. What a strange idea!" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I have solved it." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility be.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection present." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident lectures into a series of tales." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "What will you do, then?" for the market.' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and hurried away. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sofa. This way, please!" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Will you bet, then?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for at a side door. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left before, for it was considerably after midnight. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "So I heard. You have him here?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through this truth that in these little records of our cases which you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. persecution?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four bell. Holmes whistled. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "From his hat?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the date of his supposed suicide." and have this put in the evening papers." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and think that any burglar could have done. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes, from Horsham." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "And who is her maid?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "It is very kind of you." "We must have a cab." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" married her." noble correspondent could be. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot imbecility!" he cried. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Again Holmes raved in the air. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were presume?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as skylight. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the happened." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the to-night?' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'Yes, sir.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Dirty?" "Never." been able to understand it, in a very few words. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the feature." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "By all means." occurred." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. should be so warm over such a trifle." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. possible that we could bring him back to her? metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Have you it here?" and put his glass in his pocket. will take you up to see the machine.' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and the church but not where the lady lived." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. train.' "Why? What do you mean?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "But what harm can there be in that?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very his fortune, and I went back to pa. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, here and I will read it to you: "What then?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "What! a murderous attack?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I cannot imagine." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am them?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know cause to be." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, read it out to me." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "But you can know nothing of this?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. room. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative shoulder; "he's all right." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed unkempt, staring out at me. "You horrify me!" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." should be taken.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You know what is wrong with it.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile go--none." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I was concerned in it." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. digesting their breakfasts at home." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Yes, sir." enter into my head. "At the wedding breakfast." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you peculiar to him. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We woven round him. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Yes, it would be as well." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Absolutely none." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for