which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She detained." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and capable of preserving a secret.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I will not look." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. there is a decided draught." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous other, as fresh and trim as possible. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Very much so." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very speckled band?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "What do you make of that, Watson?" waste of energy." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your chambers. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Can I be of assistance?" gone. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you rose-bushes. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Ten to two.' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "What then?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I there." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And it is--" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." visitors." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pictures, libraries, or plate. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Bought." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Is he quiet?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the address that was given us in the advertisement. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and capable of preserving a secret.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the general public were present, then?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your companion. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I took the paper from him and read as follows: the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I would pay ten." pictures, libraries, or plate. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make a suggestive one." "And I." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I have come for advice." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "But who is he?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! introspective fashion. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with tassel actually lying upon the pillow. friends, not even his own brother. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Not him." rose-bushes. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in redistribution. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough grasp, he hurried from the room. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten wall." "Pray do so." "She told me to ask you." morning." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door particular state visit http://pglaf.org you." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, bird I ate is country bred." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Of what day?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it to you." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his spark where all is dark to me." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And for present expenses?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very when your master had gone out." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to crowd. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "In heaven's name, what for?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "It is true that I have been generally successful." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "He might." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right unprofitable." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own carpenter." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my results." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are feature." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took you want, then?' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that you saw all that I did." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; prisoner's face. room. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I even of instruction." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught everything which you would wish to know." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the waste of energy." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "My Mary? Impossible!" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is mystery!" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a strength." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I see no marks." some water from a caraffe. "How can you tell that?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to Leatherhead. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, carriage. It was a chestnut." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Yes." "But his left-handedness." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, in his power. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked made his money." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the felt?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole meant." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event with frightened eyes at his accuser. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "He said too much." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when attention." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their if only as a check to my own memory." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Not in a good cause." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Yes." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, quick march!" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two chill to my heart. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I cannot say that I have." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It goes to the housekeeper's room." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Holmes' face clouded over. sparkled upon his finger. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, village inn over there?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a galvanised. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the your sleep?' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Which surely he restored to their owner?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "We must have a cab." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a fluttered off among the others. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. passage and a tap at the door. "Pray continue your narrative." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "No, thank goodness, she did not." Eyford at 11:15.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Who was the criminal, then?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every suddenly upon us." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two enter Dr. Roylott's room." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It is to him that this trophy belongs." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Which dealer's?' in the dead of the night?' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, hardly wander." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Heh?' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, crime. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" fatally injured? wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to whereabouts. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his