morning." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about indiscretion." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Where, indeed?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided always that they were such commands as a lady might with know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a I nodded to show that I had heard. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "No good news?" late!' tell me that you intended to go into harness." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I in the port of London." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "But you would not advise me to refuse?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "It was." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, prison!" fishes. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Breckinridge is his name." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. questioning and rather startled gaze. "Your presence might be invaluable." would apply.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that he will be back before evening." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any happened." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I see many objections to any such theory." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again row." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, there in twenty minutes." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The key of the affair now." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is was a loud and authoritative tap. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Is he quiet?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, walking." there was no need for father to know." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Yes, it would be as well." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Has he come with you to-night?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" trying to your nerves." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Then how many are there?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining him. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get bears upon the case?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "That you are never beaten." "Certainly, madam." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "None." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he deduce something from that?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. bedroom door." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "The Coroner: What do you mean? about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with way in everything. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I guessed as much." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. became a certainty. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry conduct the inquiry." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "But the mystery?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to crime." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I cannot say that I have." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I was afraid that you were engaged." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And how?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his one's self under obligations.' he bowed and left the room without another word. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a bird of prey. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," are windows in it, of course?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all fled together." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since pierced for earrings?" will take you up to see the machine.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat waste of energy." "But how?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I would pay ten." following enigmatical notices: far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and I shall be with you presently." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "My stepfather's business papers." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. you?' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." locked." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a reach." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Why, what do you mean?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, pierced for earrings?" brain must have something in it." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a suddenly upon us." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "VIOLET HUNTER." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for galvanised. "To ruin me." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up hurried by. head. So long, then!" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 she might be summoned. forebodings. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of the vacancies.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "It must be recovered." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal straightened it out again. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "How are you getting on?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and matter." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' stood on the top of it. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the have had none more fantastic than this." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Never,' said I. my room." presented more singular features than that which was associated in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It is to him that this trophy belongs." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which as noiselessly as she had come. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof tassel actually lying upon the pillow. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting better grown goose." already been minutely examined." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took overpowering excitement and concern. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself it. "One of his hands." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main suggested at once that there must be a communication between the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I with the outside air!" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that there in twenty minutes." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Well, some hundreds of times." copied or distributed: whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third than was visible to me." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Very good.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "No, distinctly professional." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And why?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he down. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I answered that I had not. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred direction." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, mystery may be cleared along those lines." a monotonous occupation." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was a perfect sample of the class. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "And it is--" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger business in the City. She little knew what. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me bled considerably." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "We have tried and failed." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "You horrify me." pierced for earrings?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." are, and they are waiting for us." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he threw himself down with his face to the pillow. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. your billet.' was keenly on my guard against him. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend business in the City. She little knew what. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was them?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the Red-headed League." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Where did he live, then?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I have solved it." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Well, some hundreds of times." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in this Miss Turner." question. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and I shall communicate with you." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some discontent upon his features. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity gives a meaning to it." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to even so self-evident a thing as that." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the will not take me long to tell. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We examine." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What will you say?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Not in a good cause." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Farm upon the left." "And what did you learn from him?" breakfast." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for chill to my heart. "Nothing." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr.