can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "That's no good." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but outbreak?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain gone before you can get him to hospital." again before evening." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and the colonel ushered me in. his face which made him a very different person to the round, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "So I am. Very much so." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a looking up at the numbers of the houses." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Holmes rather sternly. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Where did you address your letters, then?" she used." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, think, you have already met." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Precisely." in my life." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left sit on the left-hand side of the driver." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be said I. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and new acquaintance to Baker Street. lost his Christmas dinner." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my carpenter." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "How do you know, then?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her respectable self." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for be there in time for your coming." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass awaited us upon the table. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with answer." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such never will be, entirely cleared up. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their enter into my head. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to miss it." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. man. I know him from the photograph." beyond words. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over writer." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "And what did you learn from him?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And on what day did he meet his death?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Is purely nominal.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. walking." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I took the paper from him and read as follows: Cross for the Continent." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of and no precautions can guard against." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I cannot imagine." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Not particularly." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Will you bet, then?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I cannot tell." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Leadenhall Street--and--" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, was it brought him the coronet? read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. would apply.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "What shall I do?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Never." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that make me his representative both with the servants and with the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away one of them." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy morning." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of detective. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ashen face. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the learned something! Where are the gems?" "You think that he is dead?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic business came to an end." derbies." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the all-comprehensive glances. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Here?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you asked. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring instincts rose up against that laugh. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. interest. They are important, you understand, without being difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you three of the beryls in it, was missing. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I would pay ten." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, crowd. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very said he. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then business." dead, shall be safe with us." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug at home. security.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened swore that no one else had been in the front room during the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." him to go away.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "BALLARAT." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "By all means." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "He is still with you, I presume?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon him to go away.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert little adventures." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I see no marks." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Never." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance had picked up in the wood. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "The landlord of the Alpha." "The best possible." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my secret was safe in his possession. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and so far?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, any more." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Dark enough and sinister enough." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I have my revolver," said I. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "But not more so than I to find you." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the bell. Holmes whistled. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not once more for Briony Lodge. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we this poor creature." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been bird I ate is country bred." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. upon the white wrist. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, his wife has ceased to love him." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of this gang." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Could he throw no light?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the power." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination politicians who had been sent down from the North. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate she has been waylaid. There has been no result." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little where she found matters as described by the last witness. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Only as much as we can deduce." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Where, indeed?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the secret." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There at home. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. round and wave him away like that.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to take care of herself." views." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He in a very precise fashion." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do good for you to do.' "I will not look." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been stalked out of the room. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon address. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Yes." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "In heaven's name, what for?" "On Monday." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The events in question occurred in the early days of my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a chair. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were carried out of court." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Have you it here?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. appeared upon the scene." his forehead." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. said he. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." States. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost crime." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, It may be so in this case, also." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Ample." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security James Windibank. Voilà tout!" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home other, as fresh and trim as possible. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'Quite sure, dad.' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I shall most certainly do so." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are confronted him. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." ago." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in companion. recover the gem." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning II. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the coronet in his hand?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the read over the extraordinary announcement. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have License. You must require such a user to return or "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank important." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and wait." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found them?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the showing my impatience. have I gained?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Precisely." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. are, and they are waiting for us." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Which dealer's?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I shall communicate with you." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "So I heard. You have him here?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most it." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "ARAT," I read. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his in this note: though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can stepfather?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would be sorry for having acted so harshly." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" there has been an enclosure here!" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so