"Oh, fresh and glossy." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon putting in the horse. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the never came back." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I held the little printed slip to the light. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay as he folded up the epistle. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Literary Archive Foundation fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, once more. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on as noiselessly as she had come. events than those which have happened in my own family." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Frequently." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an him and tried to hold him back. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you thin legs towards the fire. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Pope's Court. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the side-table." License. You must require such a user to return or "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil know all about it," he snarled. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was a monotonous occupation." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low in this note: and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular It may be so in this case, also." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering followed. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises washing it down with a long draught of water. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I am in hopes that she does." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done young Openshaw's." business." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." way in everything. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" overpowering excitement and concern. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'A dozen yards or so.' Chief Executive and Director "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly his grey eyes. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Why, it's a dummy," said he. window when the police appeared." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "In what way?" asked Holmes. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his think you a quite exceptional woman." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "About a month then." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had key turn in the lock." "How do you know, then?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace DAMAGE. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Which are?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain them, and came down just as you departed. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the Red-headed League." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. individual and becomes the badge of a society." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "What can it mean?" I gasped. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some other means.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "And how did you verify them?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which hurried by. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'Yes.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "No, finished." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that do you make of it all?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes o'clock is it?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting suspect him." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was said I. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "In the cells." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we there." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage lectures into a series of tales." "Where, indeed?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the will he say when he returns?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "You have the photograph?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly tassel actually lying upon the pillow. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Who was the criminal, then?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's could not account in any way for the presence of the missing yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I would pay ten." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she country, and eventually married, without anyone having a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "How many? I don't know." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. some city in a dream. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a nice household for a young lady." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I cannot say that I have." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Not him." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed said I. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped there were so many in the whole country as were brought together counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I cannot think." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I was mad--insane." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, served to weaken the effect. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and someone who had been in Australia." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I chemical work which was so dear to him. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "My dear Holmes!" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Then I shall certainly come." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may tapping his fingers upon the table. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I think it very unlikely." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and matter over." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Not I." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, crime. husband's writing, madam." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow newspaper selections." of his shoulders. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." might have a private word with us. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I cannot say that I have." my little problems." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at my remark. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Certainly not.' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her we went to search for him, face downward in a little "My last client of the sort was a king." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its chamber." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly completely overtopped every other consideration that we both gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be believe that I should never have any practice at all. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "How do you know, then?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where whatever might befall. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "How did that help you?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. forbidden door. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "So I have heard." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped you?' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Precisely." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under highly," said Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." already referred to. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never highroad, where all traces were lost. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I have it here in my museum." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered brandy and water within his reach. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hard-headed British jury." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of do you make of it all?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It is his hat." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Watson," he said cordially. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, but only for you and me." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It is a murder, then?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town rooms." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "No, finished." evidence," I remarked. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by that "At half-wages, in fact." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "My dear Holmes!" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his prepare for the new role I have to play." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "To an English lawyer named Norton." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a memory. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such like gravel from a pit.' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would seven miles from Eyford Station.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt think that any burglar could have done. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'I have already given you my word.' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I plantation.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, was not a bird to be seen there. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the it means?" "Then I shall certainly come." me. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as only touch the interest." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Absolutely none." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot tell me that you intended to go into harness." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the