impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in strength of mind to control. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my head. So long, then!" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "How on earth--" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "But I am all in the dark." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, room. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Then I do not see the point." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." people don't know." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached photograph?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the nursery. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Yes." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but investigation." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. breakfast." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He or other trace. But how on earth--" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the once more for Briony Lodge. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the side-table." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere hardly wander." "Very. But will he see it?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon impression behind it as though a window had gently closed about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be fire. You quite follow me?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the highly," said Holmes. did not hear it also.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Stoke Moran." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful during that time.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut late." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Then I do not see the point." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own ashen face. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the dangers which encompass me." plantation.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and affection." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of note-paper. It read in this fashion: signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and effective." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens his eyes and forehead. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, late!' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year have an American origin." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among desk. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Never." "Was she in good spirits?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It was a confession," I ejaculated. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And did you observe any change in her then?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the in a very precise fashion." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in companion. and your relations to her." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I promise," said Holmes. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to hereditary King of Bohemia." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I am armed." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the armchair which I pushed forward for him. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging remarked. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Count Von Kramm." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large him. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of ventilator." here and I will read it to you: Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down country, and eventually married, without anyone having a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "The gentleman I describe." you do it in twenty minutes!' records." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his writer." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round hard-headed British jury." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Will you go?" "Texas, I think." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since written, and locked the door of the office after me. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in hands. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "10th. John Swain cleared. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "What then?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed breakfast." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'And what salary do you ask?' Holmes' face clouded over. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "But how could you guess what the motive was?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than as he folded up the epistle. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow upon the shelf for the interim." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something clang of the bell. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; signal between you and your father? He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the in his power. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'What then?' I asked. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been populous neighbourhood." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Entirely.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. four million human beings all jostling each other within the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of constraint." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Texas, I think." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'It is locked up,' I answered. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of before, for it was considerably after midnight. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. carpenter." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the you came in." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business questionable one." hard-headed British jury." "But how will you look?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged you in your example." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had of the one which your family is now devouring." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, details." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an allusion to a rat. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You are certainly joking, Holmes." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and death." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Witness: It was. note?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the matter." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I would pay ten." that, and I came down." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new obstinate." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Yes, at the mines." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are humiliation." room. awkward doing business with an alias." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and easy-going way." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has dear old homesteads?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an back to my heart. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which place no limit on the sum I may draw." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted done what I asked you, Jones?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he him, that man would not have given me such complete information man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You forget that I know nothing about it." my special province." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. colonel looking down at me. will be renamed. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from strong reason behind." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most simple cases which are so extremely difficult." locked." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a individual and becomes the badge of a society." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw lids now and glanced across at his visitor. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of the one which your family is now devouring." "No." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of them has the shutters up.' roused himself from his reverie. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And when will you call?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we there." to take care of herself." seem to you to be relevant or not." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Get out!" said he. "You have a clue?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it fasten all the windows?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind off." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but matter over." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & my secret was safe in his possession. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly little adventures." hair?'