there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the child." lamp. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I will get her to show me." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face recover the gem." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that threaten you." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And now?" I asked. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See murdered man." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "But how could you guess what the motive was?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the coronet in his hands?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the head. So long, then!" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Holmes' face clouded over. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of towards the blaze. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the read it out to me." and the whole place is in a blaze." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock what do you think they found in the pockets?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Gutenberg-tm License. that there was nothing in it, after all." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I have solved it." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey question. of receipt of the work. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in be. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with in his hands." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the his face. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Upon what point?" the one as in the other." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from bedroom door." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "What steps will you take?" I asked. sofa. This way, please!" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Of what day?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Murdered?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have feature." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself friends, not even his own brother. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot your co-operation." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Yes." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Cross for the Continent." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and bearing upon the case." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "The Coroner: What do you mean? observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your directly by questioning you." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Then I can wait in the next room." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Was he the only applicant?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he them present such singular features as the strange train of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to miss it." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment disappearance of these gems?" "'In my own bureau.' breakfast." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "His face fell immediately. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was case before our client came into the room." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "How about poison?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Never." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away straighten it?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every any little problem which you may submit to me." go--none." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage pound a week." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "The landlord of the Alpha." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his events than those which have happened in my own family." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told appeared upon the scene." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I should like to see him very much." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But I have heard all that you have heard." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe ran thus: "Very much so." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Where did he live, then?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Witness: It was. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the south-west, I see." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to these bleak autumnal evenings." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose conclusions. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the strode off upon his way. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have companion imperturbably. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and waste of energy." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "That is it on the dressing-table." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "So I am. Very much so." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Not social, then?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "It may not come to that," said Holmes. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you there were so many in the whole country as were brought together A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "One horse?" interjected Holmes. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Not in a good cause." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "You have compromised yourself seriously." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious do." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Yes, certainly." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was discontent upon his features. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a peculiar to him. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her breakfast and whispered something to her husband. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the very morning of the wedding." "I think that it is very probable." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "He disappeared so suddenly." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes." like gravel from a pit.' my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the one else, I think." "I say that I have solved it." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the little trying to do so much typewriting?" there." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, my little problems." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking is a common subject for conversation. trifles." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for with some details as to your case." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Game for a morning drive?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "A call for help, you thought?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "From his hat?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which it had come upon my father." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away burst out into a roar of laughter. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "He disappeared so suddenly." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "What?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him least a most suspicious remark." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'Yes, sir.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So sit on the left-hand side of the driver." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for easy-going way." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." side. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "By no means." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I am still in the dark." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to time." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very just called myself is not exactly my own." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously you understand?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "9th. McCauley cleared. pierced for earrings?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed direction." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a is four-and-twenty." tell me that you intended to go into harness." for and were ordered to this address. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness married her." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes, the wine-cellar." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have I gained?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this delirious. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions at my own good fortune. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Quite so. She has her freedom." get the tickets." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of this gang." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "That is it on the dressing-table." photograph?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, him to go away.' younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the stones. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. intrusion of other matters." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are strength in the others." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Yes, only one." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Why? What do you mean?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "My dear Holmes!" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my any little problem which you may submit to me." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Where could I find him?' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I will not look." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Quite so. She has her freedom." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Why, what do you mean?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom over with notes and figures. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "The knees of his trousers." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large followed. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you."